Tensions on the rise again as Renault rejects Red Bull criticism

Cyril Abiteboul (FRA), Renault Sport F1 Managing Director. Christian Horner (GB), sporting director, Red Bull Racing.

Renault's Cyril Abiteboul won't take Red Bull's attacks lying down, the Frenchman responding to the Milton Keynes-based outfit's latest criticism of its engine partner.

A fuming Max Verstappen distilled a colorful radio rant yesterday as he parked his car after just four laps of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the victim of an MGU-K failure.

On the Red Bull pitwall, Christian Horner also expressed his discontent with Renault's product.

"We pay multi millions of pounds for these engines for a first class or state-of-the-art product and you can see that it’s quite some way below that," he told Sky F1's commentators.

Abiteboul however would have none of it, insisting the works cars consistently run without any issues impacting their engine's MGU-K, and placing the blame for Red Bull's problems on its own engineering choices.

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"We switched at Monaco to an improved MGU-K," Abiteboul said.

"But Red Bull is not using it because it affects the way the power unit is packaged on their car. The new MGU-K manages and contains the temperatures more effectively.

"There were no problems with our cars, but we cannot force Red Bull to go with it. It’s their decision."

Abiteboul acknowledged the imploded relationship between the French manufacture and Red Bull, and it's clear that for both parties the end of the current campaign and of their rocky rapport can't come soon enough.

"Our bosses have stopped reading what Christian Horner is saying about us since 2015," Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.

"It's very clear that we don't want to have any dealings with them any more. It's very clear it's done.

"They will have their engine partner that will be paying a helluva money to get their product on board, and I wish them good luck. I have nothing else to say."

Needless to say, for Red Bull as for Renault, the end of the current campaign and of their rocky relationship can't comme soon enough.

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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.