Renault Sport F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul says if Red Bull doesn’t reach a decision on its 2019 engine plans by the start of next week’s French Grand Prix it could withdraw its supply offer.
In Canada, Red Bull closely monitored the performance of Honda’s new unit, with junior bull team Toro Rosso collecting extensive data destined to be processed and compared with information associated with Renault’s own new latest-spec power unit.
The Milton Keynes outfit intends on doing another comparative analysis in France, after which it will decide the identity of its future engine partner.
Abiteboul has put Red Bull under pressure however, demanding the matter be settled by the end of next week.
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Renault discourages Red Bull to switch to Honda power
“I guess they have all the information that they need now. I don’t see why they are going to further delay the decision,” Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.
“As per the regulations, [the deadline] was May 15, and then we accepted to extend that a little bit on the back of 12 years of good collaboration.
“But past a certain point, the offer we made, and that they requested, will not stand. It was Montreal that they wanted to wait for: our new spec, Honda’s new spec.
“They have all the information, I see no absolutely no reason to delay that any further.”
Abiteboul suggests Renault will not accommodate Red Bull in its request to delay its decision until the Austrian Grand Prix, citing logistical constraints.
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