Horner Says Threat Intended To Make Renault Step Up

Christian Horner

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said that Red Bull Owner Dietrich Mateschitz's "threat to quit" F1 is an "attempt to make Renault improve its engine," according to the BBC.

Mateschitz said last week that Red Bull would quit F1 if it "could not get a competitive engine."

Horner: "If you look carefully at his comments, he is encouraging Renault to step up and do the job properly."

Renault F1 Managing Dir Cyril Abiteboul said Renault "shared Red Bull's 'frustration'" at its "lack of performance."

The Renault engine is "uncompetitive" when measured against the rival Mercedes and Ferrari units, "struggling with both overall power and reliability."

Horner said that he "hoped" Renault Sport's engineers at their base in Viry-Chatillon near Paris could find improvements — a "major upgrade" is expected in early summer, although the date of its arrival has "not yet been confirmed." He pointed to the progress Ferrari had made over the winter in "creating an engine that is almost a match for Mercedes after lagging behind" in '14 as an example of what was possible. BBC