F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Abiteboul rejects Verstappen's criticism of C-Spec engine

Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul says that Max Verstappen's comments that Red Bull have turned their back on its latest C-Spec engine because of its performance at high altitude are groundless.

"In general I think Max should focus on the car," Abiteboul told reporters in Sochi on Friday.

"We do have driveability concerns and therefore it was clear that the engine introduced for Max wouldn't have been able to do all the races," Abiteboul explained, after Verstappen suffered engine issues in Singapore.

That made a change of components - and consequent grid penalties at Sochi - inevitable. But rather than sticking with the latest specification of the power unit, Red Bull has opted to go back to the previous version.

Abiteboul said that Red Bull's decision to revert to the older B-Spec power unit was actually part of a strategic plan that had previously been asked for by Verstappen's team, and duly agreed between the two companies.

"It was decided to go to a different spec, but that's going back to the plan agreed with the Red Bull engineering department.

"It's a bit unusual in terms of pattern but it's a pattern, a plan that was agreed specifically on the request of Red Bull."

Abiteboul insisted that the C-Spec upgrade was not proving to be a disappointment or problematic.

"The C-Spec is a good step," he said. "It's a step that everyone recognises at Red Bull is a clear step in power.

"That comes also with a certain number of limitations. That was part of the plan to introduce at a later stage a new B-Spec."

As for any alleged issues with high altitude, Abiteboul said that the new Renault power unit was no different to any of its rivals in that regard.

"I think that any engine performs not as good in high altitude," he acknowledged. "But I guess that the power increase we have seen would have been equal in a track like Mexico.

"So no, I don't agree with [Max's] comments," he insisted.

He went on to criticise the Dutch driver directly, saying that he was "very demanding" and "not that quiet also" about driveability problems at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Verstappen had also said he was 'certain' that Red Bull's new engine partners Honda would be faster than Renault in 2019.

Current Renault driver Carlos Sainz - who will still be using the French manufacturer's power unit when he moves to McLaren next year - disagreed with that analysis.

"I think it's very difficult to use the word certain, as I'm not certain of anything in Formula 1," said Sainz. "But I still have faith in Renault.

"I'll use this engine next year at another team and I think the work they are doing is enough."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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

Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.

Recent Posts

Hamilton delighted with ‘consistently strong day’ in Vegas

Lewis Hamilton was particularly happy with his opening day of running at the Las Vegas…

1 hour ago

Verstappen stuck with 'draggy' rear wing for Vegas

Red Bull fears that its prospects for this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix - which…

2 hours ago

Ferrari and Mercedes admit to plank changes based on FIA’s TD

Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…

3 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton continues on top in second practice

Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…

3 hours ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 2 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas,…

3 hours ago

Leclerc confident Ferrari ‘has a shot’ at F1 Constructors’ title

Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari has a genuine “shot” at beating rival McLaren to Formula…

4 hours ago