F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Marko: Renault budget constraints led to split with Red Bull

Helmut Marko says that Renault's inferior budget put the manufacturer's engine behind its Mercedes and Ferrari rivals, leaving Red Bull no other choice but to split with its long-time partner.

While the Red Bull-Renault relationship had been a successful one in the past, with four consecutive world titles won between 2010 and 2013, the association lost its lustre thereafter, eventually dissolving in the past couple of years on the back of simmering conflicts.

According to Marko, Red Bull was left with no other choice but to switch its allegiance to Honda from 2019.

"For us, it was clear at one point that Renault could not deliver us a victorious engine," Marko told Motorsport-Magazin.

"With their budget, you cannot expect them to fight against Ferrari and Mercedes. It was clear that we had to do something.

"Now for the first time in our history, we have a factory engine [Honda]. There is a good development, and all that has happened so far is good for Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso for next season."

The jury is still out as to whether Honda will provide the performance and reliability that Red Bull so desperately needs. A doubt compounded by the many grid penalties endured by Toro Rosso's drivers this season.

Marko however is convinced Red Bull has made the right decision for its future, with all due respect to Renault Sport F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul.

"The Honda engine has been improved generally, many penalties have been taken into account because we have always wanted to bring something new," added the Austrian.

"According to our simulations, we would have a much better appearance with the current Honda engine. But we do not need to think about that, Mr Abiteboul, and next year we will see."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

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…

1 hour ago

Komatsu: F1 teams united against Audi 2026 cost-cap offset

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that nine Formula 1 teams stand in opposition…

2 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton leads Mercedes 1-2 in trouble-free FP1

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell led the field in a chilly but trouble-free first practice…

3 hours ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 1 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 1 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in the United…

3 hours ago

Aston Martin says performance shortfall led to Fallows exit

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…

13 hours ago

FIA clamps down on plank loophole after Red Bull complaint

The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s…

14 hours ago