Red Bull expects significant progress from Renault in 2017

Struggling during the first two years of the V6 turbo/hybrid Power Unit era, Red Bull Racing et Renault have returned to a level of performance much more in line with the expectations of Milton Keynes and Viry-Chatillon.

With two victories for Max Verstappen in Spain and Daniel Ricciardo in Malaysia, the Red Bull – Renault duo (whose engines remain rebadged TAG Heuer), appeared as the leading force in opposition to the Mercedes W07 Hybrid. A position that the British team intends to maintain in 2017.

Always very inspired to develop high-performance chassis, Red Bull Racing could further threaten the star team next year, with the revised technical regulations which will emphasize new aerodynamics.

Helmut Marko, motorsport consultant and in particular in charge of the youth sector at Red Bull, believes that Christian Horner's team will be able to fight with Mercedes in view of the developments announced at Renault.

“The big step forward this year came on the engine side, and we can expect a similar leap forward again for 2017, explains Marko on the F1 website. This should mean that we will be very close to the power of Mercedes.

On the chassis side, we have always been good. This year's chassis is one of the best, and all the data we have from the new car is very positive.

With the regulation changes for 2017, no one can use the experience or package they have, and history has shown that we are always good when there is a regulation change. So we are confident that we will fight for both titles in 2017.”