After their relationship with engine supplier Renault deteriorated, Red Bull could turn to Ferrari power in 2016. Would it be enough for them to challenge Mercedes?
A pretty handy power unit
After it handicapped them throughout the 2014 season, Ferrari made massive strides with their power unit over the course of the winter. Changes to the exhaust and energy recovery systems, combined with a reshuffle in the engineering department, have seen the team produce a top package capable of rivalling Mercedes. Whilst the Brackley outfit shade the Scuderia in terms of power output, the Italian team have posed a great threat to Mercedes at the relative ‘power circuits’ so far this year – finishing on the podium at the likes of Bahrain and Monza.
Since their nightmare start to Jerez testing in 2014, Renault have struggled in their pursuit of reliability; their engines so often bidding a smoky farewell. There have been a total of twelve retirements for the Renault powered teams this year, and that is a figure which will surely increase in the remaining seven races. Ferrari have been comparatively solid, if not perfect, in the reliability stakes – Sebastian Vettel has finished every race this year, while Kimi Raikkonen has failed to make the flag on three occasions.
The Bulls have also been bombarded with penalties in 2015 due to repeated component changes, with their combined grid demotions well into three figures. A failure of brand new unit for Daniel Ricciardo last time out in Monza epitomised Renault’s current struggles, with more penalties almost certain to follow before the season out. The Milton Keynes outfit have no doubt been comprised by the frequent grid-drops, and a season free of them would be welcomed with open arms.
A daunting combination
Red Bull’s 2015 chassis is thought to be among the best on the grid, still sporting the sublime intricacies which led it to great success from 2010 to 2013. It follows, then, that the team’s disappointing tally of 113 points so far this year is down to their under-performing power unit.
How do we know that their chassis is so good? Well, the RB11’s best performances have come on the tight and twisty streets of Monaco and through the long and sweeping bends of the Hungaroring – two of the highest-downforce circuits of the current crop. The team expect to be Mercedes’ nearest challengers on the streets of Singapore next weekend and, should things continue in a similar vein, you would imagine that they will be.
A good chassis and a powerful engine provide the foundation for any Championship-winning outfit in Formula 1, and Ferrari power could be the spark Red Bull need.
The Maranello outfit’s team principal Maurizio Arrivabene agrees:
“Red Bull have big names, with Adrian Newey as chief designer, and it is easy to think if you give them the engine they will build a scary chassis, which means they will be really competitive.”
Mercedes recognised the danger
The tantalising prospect of a Red Bull-Mercedes partnership was a realistic one before the Italian Grand Prix. The Mercedes board, however, opted not to supply their rivals with the best engine on the current grid, having assessed the commercial benefit against the risk of increased competition. Clearly, then, the Silver Arrows don’t want to offer Red Bull a power unit which could propel them to the top of the tree.
Perhaps Mercedes were ‘afraid’ of the threat to their current dominance, yet the news was disappointing for the majority of fans – who viewed the concept of a fierce battle for F1 supremacy as mouthwatering with Mercedes currently hurtling towards a second consecutive crown.
In what was perhaps a subtle jibe at their competitors, Arrivabene added that the Ferrari are not “scared” to strike a deal with Red Bull.
I don’t see any kind of problem to give our engine to any other team or be scared of the competition before they start.
Red Bull have had it with Renault
A rather childish an all-too public war-of-words between Red Bull and their engine suppliers mean only crackling embers remain from a relationship which once burned bright. It seems inconceivable that they will continue with the French manufacturer, having already announced their intentions to look elsewhere for a 2016 supplier. They may be contracted to Renault, but the French company are set to complete their prospective takeover of the cash-strapped Lotus and return to the sport as a works’ team so should be willing to terminate the deal. It is also understood that Renault have failed to meet their pre-season performance targets, which could see the contract brought to a premature end.
Mercedes, as aforementioned, have shied away from any such deal and the struggling Honda are tied to McLaren for the moment. Ferrari appear to be the only option, and look the likely one at this stage.
The long-standing Red Bull-Renault alliance looks to be nearing its end, it could well be time to familiarise ourselves with the term “Red Bull-Ferrari”. We must stress, however, that nothing is decided yet.
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