F1 News, Reports and Race Results

McLaren will have a say in Renault engine design - Boullier

As it establishes its new collaboration with Renault, McLaren will become a de facto works team in 2019 says racing director Eric Boullier.

The fruitless McLaren-Honda partnership was officially put out of its misery in Singapore last week, and the Woking-based outfit now binds its fate to Renault for the next three years.

While the French manufacturer's power unit still lags the engines produced by Ferrari and Mercedes, Boullier casts a positive eye towards the future and its relationship with its new partner.

"After three difficult years, important decisions had to be made before it was too late," said the Frenchman.

"Now what we feel is relief but also sadness because we built a good working relationship with Honda even if there were no results.

"We have information from Renault that proves to us that their engine is competitive. Maybe it is a bit behind the Mercedes and the Ferrari but it has potential," he insisted.

"We have had meetings that show they are working on a reliability and performance package that will be more competitive next year."

Boullier also stressed that once Renault stops supplying Red Bull Racing at the end of 2018, McLaren will become the manufacturer's semi-works representative.

"The other advantage of working with Renault is that we will have a say in engine design," added Boullier.

"In 2019 we will have a solution that is almost 'factory', so it's an advantage over a customer engine."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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

Sebastian Montoya steps up to Formula 2 with Prema

Sebastian Montoya, the 19-year-old son of former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya, is set…

3 hours ago

Sauber finds its ‘Northern Star’ under Binotto’s leadership

When former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto took on the role of Chief Operating Officer…

4 hours ago

Leclerc hails a season ‘without missed opportunities' in 2024

Charles Leclerc concluded the 2024 F1 season with a sense of satisfaction, the Ferrari driver…

6 hours ago

Coulthard sounds alarm over FIA president’s rift with F1 drivers

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has voiced his dismay at FIA president Mohammed Ben…

8 hours ago

The rapid rise and fall of Super Aguri in F1

Super Aguri's application to join Formula 1 became a reality on this day in 2005,…

9 hours ago

Ferrari's 2024 Season: Marked improvement and a fight to the finish

Ferrari roared back into contention in 2024 to deliver their strongest season in years, thanks…

10 hours ago