Carlos Sainz not worried about potential engine penalties

Only three thermal engines (just like three turbos, or even three MGU-H) per car should be used this year in F1 by the stables. A fact which forced the design offices to make the elements making up the V6 turbo/hybrid Power Units as reliable as possible in order to be able to comply with the rule.

A limit which necessarily raises the question of potential penalties in the event of exceeding the quota, especially when making changes during the year. In the clan Renault, Carlos Sainz in any case seems to have a preference between conservatism and developments.

“The team needs to improve and if we need to use an extra engine this year, I don't mind because I just want to see progress during the year. » admits the Spaniard on the sidelines of the Australian Grand Prix.

Renault Sport F1 Team displayed good reliability during winter testing with 795 loops covered by the R.S. 18

Sainz also believes that the understanding with his teammate Nico Hulkenberg will be profitable for the French team. “I think it’s going to be a good battle on track. We work together with Nico to move the team forward and push each other. »

Renault hopes to be able to regain the points in Australia, an event which has not been kind to the Losange team in recent seasons, with two years without a top 10 in 2016 and 2017.