Heading into the Italian Grand Prix weekend we were aware that both cars were going to take grid penalties for the race. This scenario was part of a planned strategy by the Milton Keynes squad knowing that even with a clean weekend this would not be their best race of the 2015 season.
Saturday’s qualifying session did not go to plan at for Daniel Ricciardo as he had to change power units after a failure of a power unit that was only brand new going into Free Practice 3, so changing power units into qualifying had to be done in record time. According to Ricciardo the team managed a full power unit change in one hour and 45 minutes which is hugely impressive.
Heading into the race and occupying the back of the grid, both cars needed a good start and they got it, getting both Manors and Kimi Raikkonen on the opening lap, a one stop strategy for Kyvat and Ricciardo paid off with them both finishing in the points – Ricciardo eighth and Kyvat tenth. This was helped by the late retirement of Nico Rosberg.
Singapore is the stop on the Formula One calender in two weeks time and it will play to the strengths of the RB11. A tight and twisty track with little room to stretch the power units will help Red Bull keep the other top teams insight.
If rumours are to be believed, Red Bull’s troubled partnership with Renault will indeed come to an end at the conclusion of this season for both their teams. Toro Rosso are set to reunite with Ferrari, with much speculation surrounding the main team and who will be supplying them for 2016.
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