Renault confident their engine issues will be sorted by Bahrain test

 

(Bernard Asset Renault Sport F1) 



 

Renault are confident that they will have a solution to their technical issues by the next preseason test that gets underway in Bahrain next week.

 

During the first winter test in Jerez at the end of January all the team's that are supplied by the French engine manufacturer suffered reliability issues and completed the least number of laps of the course of the four day test.

 

It was an extremely disappointing test for Red Bull Racing who only managed to complete 21 lap's. The engine manufacturer's Energy Recovery System unit was attributed as the main cause for their reliability issues during the test. It is belie(ed that the way the new RB10 has been packaged has also caused problems for the team as they suffered overheating issues during the test along with the problem's that Caterham, and Toro Rosso had.

 

The Lotus F1 Team on the other hand did not suffer similar problems as they decided to skip the opening test of the preseason to enable them to carry out more development work on their new E22. The team ran the car in Jerez last week during a 'filming day' Pastor Maldonado completed 100KM and reported no issues with the new 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged Renault engine and by completing that distance the Enstone based team managed to complete more mileage over two day's then Red Bull did in four.

 

It would appear that the Lotus F1 Team's decision to skip the opening test paid off. The second test in Bahrain next week will be extremely important for the Renault powered team's as they aim to get on top of the new engines.

 

If their issues can not be sorted by the end of the preseason testing period Renault have not ruled out applying to the FIA for permission to work on their power units on the grounds of reliability.

©Ben Johnston 2014