Illien denies Red Bull involvement

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Engine guru Mario Illien has denied being involved in Red Bull's potential engine plans for 2016.

It was rumored earlier this week that Illien could offer his engineering expertise to Red Bull in 2016, should the team decide to bring in-house an engine development based on an unbadged version of Renault's D-spec upgraded power unit set to be introduced in Brazil next week.

But the Ilmor founder, who confirmed that he had provided the Milton Keynes outfit with some input this year regarding Renault's power unit, said he wasn't aware of Red Bull and Renault's current engine prospects.

"I have no idea what upgrades Renault has incorporated in its modified engine," Illien told German publication Auto, Motor und Sport. "I cannot imagine that a large company like Renault would secretly install my development."

Illien did however acknowledge Ilmor's interest in the FIA's concept of introducing a cheaper customer engine in 2017, should the idea come to fruition.

As a reminder, the British engineering company already supplies a Chevrolet-badged twin turbo V6 engine for the US Indycar series.

"If it happens I will look then at what the tender says and decide what I'm doing," Illien concluded.

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