Red Bull also responsible for lack of performance - Prost

Former quadruple F1 World Champion Alain Prost believes the Spanish Grand Prix offered ample evidence that Red Bull's woes this season should not be pinned exclusively on the team's Renault power plant.

Both Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat were both beaten in qualifying in Barcelona by Toro Rosso juniors Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen, a fact which demonstrates that the qualities of the team's RB11 chassis may also be called into question.

"Let's not forget that a car's performance is not dependent only on the engine, but also on the chassis, " commented the Frenchman and Renault ambassador. "It's not a black and white situation, like Toro Rosso, which is using the same engine, shows us."

Prost doubted that Renault's brand image had suffered as a consequence of its ongoing difficulties to master F1's current hybrid power plant technology.

"It's obviously not positive but I don't believe it has a negative bearing on the Renault brand. We must be aware that these things happen in motor racing; you can be dominant and then lose your edge. One must accept this. There were perhaps more problems than imagined, but the rule changes were massive at a time when Renault and Red Bull also had their fight for the championship to deal with."

Click here for an exclusive interview with Jenson Button about the McLaren-Honda project

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Five years on: Grosjean reunites with fiery Bahrain GP helmet

Many F1 drivers have stared danger in the face, but few moments in the sport’s…

2 hours ago

Before Shelby's days of taming the Cobra

Carroll Shelby was born on this day in 1923, and while the great Texan is…

4 hours ago

Cassidy stands tall in Mexico City – and so does Citroën

Nick Cassidy delivered to Citroen Racing its maiden ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in…

5 hours ago

Alpine to give Colapinto ‘all the support he needs’ to deliver in F1

Franco Colapinto endured a tough season with Alpine in 2025, but inside Enstone the message…

6 hours ago

The long game: Williams still building as Vowles looks beyond 2026

As Williams continues its steady ascent under the leadership of James Vowles, the Grove-based outfit…

7 hours ago

Audi’s Wheatley thought team principal role in F1 was ‘unattainable’

In the world of Formula 1, where career ladders are often climbed with ruthless ambition,…

8 hours ago