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

Coulthard: Time for Russell to ‘start eroding’ Antonelli’s confidence

There’s a fine line in Formula 1 between harmony and hierarchy – and right now…

16 minutes ago

Gasly: ‘Too much negativity’ around F1’s rules – but changes needed

For all the noise generated by Formula 1’s controversial 2026 regulations, Pierre Gasly is striking…

2 hours ago

Brundle: Wheatley a good catch – but Aston must ‘settle down’

Sky F1’s Martin Brundle has backed Jonathan Wheatley’s expected move to Aston Martin, a team…

3 hours ago

Villeneuve on why Mercedes ‘should be worried now’

The silver dominance of Mercedes might look unshakable on paper after the first three races…

4 hours ago

Stella reveals his ‘priority number one’ ahead of crucial F1 talks

Andrea Stella has fired a warning shot at Formula 1’s rule-makers, insisting qualifying must become…

20 hours ago

Hadjar set to unleash iconic Red Bull RB7 at historic French GP

French F1 fans are in for a treat – and a blast from Grand Prix…

21 hours ago