“We have got good foundations. We have been well supported by Renault as you don't win races and achieve the kind of results we have had without great support from your engine supplier,” said Red Bull's Christian Horner following his team's 4th 1-2 of the current season.
Renault were the only manufacturer allowed to work on their power plants for the 2009 campaign, as the FIA tried to assure engine equalization inside the sport. The results were quite obvious, as Red Bull made a huge step in performance as compared to the 2008 season, winning 6 races and finishing the year as the second best team in the series.
However, the relationship between Red Bull and Renault went through some tough times midway through the season, when neither Sebastian Vettel, nor Mark Webber managed to score any podiums for the Milton Keynes based team. In addition, Vettel's engine allocation for 2009 season had run out with 3 races before the end of the season, causing the German to drive with an imminent grid penalty in each of the last 3 grands prix.
According to some reports in Germany, the main reason why Red Bull chose to stick with Renault for one more season was the fact that McLaren used their veto right within the FOTA to block a potential engine partnership between the British outfit and Mercedes. Under the FIA rules, an engine manufacturer can only power two teams in the series, the sole exception of Brawn GP being agreed upon by all the FOTA teams prior to the start of the 2009 season.
Also, switching to Cosworth was not considered a step forward for Red Bull team, as the British engine manufacturer will return to F1 with the engines used in the 2006 season.
Google News