22/09/2013
NEWS STORY
Caterham will use the Renault Energy F1 Power Unit in 2014 and beyond in an extended partnership which will see the pair work together for a further three years.
From next season, Caterham will be equipped with the Renault Energy F1 V6 turbocharged direct injection internal combustion engine with two motor generator units that harvest energy dissipated in the exhaust gasses and brakes and deploy as both electrical and mechanical power. When combined the energy systems and engine will produce more power than the current V8 engines, however will be more than 35% more energy efficient thanks to technical and sporting regulations that prescribe a fuel flow limit of 100kg/h and maximum quantity of 100kg permitted per race.
The Anglo-Malaysian team and the French manufacturer first teamed up for the 2011 F1 season, with the Renault RS27 V8 engine powering the team in subsequent seasons.
"Over the past three years we have seen Caterham mature, with impressive new facilities and a solid technical structure," said Jean-Michel Jalinier, President and Managing Director of Renault Sport F1. "The new technical regulations provide a big challenge, but with change comes opportunity and next year is a prime chance for the team to secure the next targets in its ongoing plans. From the very start our partnership has been comprehensive and it is therefore natural that we would want to see it pay dividends. We are very happy with the quality and depth of the teams we will supply and look forward to seeing the first generation of Energy F1-powered cars hit the track next year."
"This announcement is obviously very good news for our team and is a reflection of the deep bonds that have been created between our two businesses since 2011," added Cyril Abiteboul, Caterham Team Principal, "particularly with the roadcar project we launched in 2012 between Caterham and Alpine, which is now at an advanced stage in development.
"The 2014 season heralds a new era for F1 with our sport taking a positive stance in aligning itself with the technical changes in the global automotive industry, and Renault is right at the cutting edge of that development. When our F1 partnership began in 2011 we, as a young team, were immediately impressed by the various benefits of the collaboration on our operations, and since then we are relentlessly pushing them even further. Given the age and status of our team we have also been pleased to see Renault Sport F1 adapting their operational practices to suit our size and optimizing our integration with an enhanced technical collaboration. We work together in an open and honest manner to help Caterham F1 Team achieve its short-term goal of establishing itself as an integral part of F1 and to help Renault achieve the deserved recognition of its technical edge.
"The depth of our partnership will certainly pay dividends in 2014, helping us tackle the new regulations quickly and efficiently, helping to give us the best opportunity to continue our progress up the grid in 2014 and beyond."