Daniel Ricciardo has claimed performance from the Renault power unit is the only concern Red Bull have going into the 2016 season.
Red Bull suffered a winless season last year thanks to poor reliability and performance issues from the Renault power unit. These issues led to Red Bull looking elsewhere for a power unit but after failing to secure a new supplier, they were forced to backtrack and renegotiate a deal with Renault.
The team will now run Renault power units in 2016 with TAG Heuer branding.
Speaking to AUTOSPORT, Ricciardo did admit the team’s 2015 chassis was also below their usual standards but he now believes this has been rectified and only the power unit can hold them back in their challenge this season.
“I’m not going to go in thinking we can win the title. That would be the wrong thing to do.”
“If it works, awesome. I think we’ve got the platform.
“The way the team developed the car last year, it’s really proven not only the quality of people, but the motivation and the hunger still within the team.
“That’s been the most promising thing: I haven’t seen any doubters or anybody lose motivation. Everyone’s still as hungry as ever.
“Unfortunately now it’s probably always going to be dependent on which engine we have and that’s going to dictate the success a little bit.
“But mechanically we can definitely build a good car for 2016.
“How good is the engine going to be? That’s the question.”
Renault has claimed in recent weeks they have rectified the issues they had with their power units in 2015 meaning if Ricciardo’s claims are correct and Renault supply Red Bull adequate engines units then they could well be fighting for race wins this season.
