Daniel Ricciardo Waiting, Wishing For Engine Upgrade

Reliability Before Revs For Renault


Article heading image for Daniel Ricciardo Waiting, Wishing For Engine Upgrade

It's not a stretch to say the Red Bull team need some sort of divine intervention right now.

Team principal Christian Horner has even joked the team has "been going to church every week to pray" for a badly needed update from engine supplier Renault.

All the talk about the Bulls challenging the Prancing Horses (Ferrari) and Silver Arrows (Mercs) of the grid has gone quiet after some ordinary results so far.

They were 1.8 seconds off the pace in Australia and closed the gap to 0.6 of a second with a chassis upgrade in Barcelona.

But it's not enough.

Not nearly.

While they're currently in 3rd place in the constructors' world championship, it's clear there'll need to be a surge in power from the Renault before they can begin cashing their cheques.

"We are a bit in no-man's land," said Horner.

"We are trying to start playing with the big boys!"

"And if we are going to manage that, probably one of our drivers could dictate what happens in the drivers' championship."

But somewhere along the line communication with Renault broke down.

The French say there'll be no instant boost at the Canadian Grand Prix.

“Red Bull, as always, is making wrong communication about performance development," said Renault's Cyril Abiteboul.

“But what I can guarantee you is, race-by-race, the engine will improve and overall in the season ... I’m sure there is a very decent step to come.”

While Daniel Ricciardo would prefer that decent step to be a leap, he'll take whatever he can get right now.

The Aussie sits fifth in the drivers championship, 67 points adrift of points leader Sebastian Vettel.

Expect more from the Red Bulls when Formula 1 tackles the twists and turns of the streets of Monte Carlo this weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix.

10 December 2018




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