Marko: Renault ran old car but new engine

Michelle Foster
Renault DP World PA

Renault DP World PA

Renault may have tested a two-year-old car at the Red Bull Ring but Helmut Marko believes they ran their new 2020 engine.

Renault returned to the test arena last week when, much to Marko’s dismay, the Red Bull Ring was rented out to Red Bull’s rival.

Both Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon spent time out track in a 2018 car.

The two drivers completed more than 250 laps between them, potentially handing them an advantage ahead of the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix which takes place at the Red Bull Ring.

But while the duo had a refresher course on the layout of the track, they also put some miles on Renault’s new engine.

So much so that Red Bull advisor Marko says he was “impressed” with the power unit’s reliability.

“Renault had to drive with a two-year-old chassis, but the new engines were inside,” he told the Osterreich newspaper.

“I was impressed by the reliability.

“I just wonder if it is smart to rent the Red Bull Ring to Renault.”

Red Bull will hit the track in its RB16 later this month.

While some teams have been running old cars in order to get in a full day of action, Max Verstappen doesn’t believe there is any “advantage” to testing a two-year-old car.

Red Bull will instead give the Dutchman and his team-mate Alexander Albon a bit of time in this year’s car during a filming day at Silverstone.

Marko confirmed the news.

“We can test the current Red Bull on July 25th in Silverstone for a maximum of 100 kilometers,” he said.

The 2020 Formula 1 season gets underway on July 5 with a double header at the Red Bull Ring before moving onto the Hungaroring for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

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