After such a strong end to the season, in which Max Verstappen was the only non Mercedes or Ferrari driver to stand on a podium in the last five races, he was busily promoting the partnership of Honda engines and Red Bull for the 2019 season. However reports have arisen of the Dutchman stating, "If Honda fails, there is a Plan B."
After such a cryptic statement, are Max and Red Bull fully dedicated to the newest engine partnership?
Red Bull Racing had been powered by Renault engines since 2007, this partnership had a very successful stint consisting of 8 World Championships, 159 podiums, 59 wins and 60 pole positions. However, after such a successful stint, the partnership ended on a sour note after a total of 11 retirements this season for Red Bull. But the future may not be as bright, bearing in mind Toro Rosso, powered by Honda engines, upped the retirements with a whopping 12!
Talks of the divorce began in the early stages of the season however, as the season continued the two huge corporations began to turn sour towards each other with comments being made from superiors in both teams. One being made from Red Bull team principle, Christian Horner, referring to Renault team principle, Cyril Abiteboul, as "squirrel". Renault did however return the favour by gifting Red Bull driver, Max Verstappen, "anti-moaning spray" after the countless radio messages and comments made by the Dutchman complaining about the Renault engines.
Max Verstappen stated in an interview with Ziggo Sport, “If he (Cyril Abiteboul) would concentrate a little bit more on his own team instead of moaning about me all the time, they would already be world champions."
It's safe to say, the divorce is in full swing!
But have Red Bull left too early? According to Renault their progress on both engine and chassis are right on track to be a front runner in 2020. With the Enstone based team expanding yearly with a 50% growth of workers in the past three years, it's safe to say both money and resources are being spent to bring Renault back to the glory days of 2005 and 2006. Cyril Abiteboul, Renault team principle, commented "We have the equipment, we have the skills. We just need more time for the construction."
Renault aim to reduce the gap to the front runners of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull by next season, 2019. The Enstone based team managed to finish best of the rest in 4th this season, a huge improvement from 2016, their first year back as a works team, in which they finished 9th with only 8 points to their name. Considering they managed to gain 5 places and 114 points over one year, imagine what they can do next year...
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