06/11/2015
NEWS STORY
Red Bull is to debut the upgraded Renault power unit at next weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.
The engine, which has seen the French manufacturer use 11 of the permitted 12 development tokens was made available in time for the United States Grand Prix, but the Austrian team opted not to use it.
It is understood the decision to delay its introduction was down to the fact that the resultant (10-place) grid penalty was not worth the estimated lap-time gain Renault was claiming for the unit, certainly given the nature of the Austin circuit, whilst the high altitude in Mexico City would present its own problems.
With Toro Rosso having opted not to run the upgraded engine at all, it is not yet known whether both Red Bull cars will have the new unit or merely one particular driver.
Announcing the upgrade ahead of Austin, Renault's Director of Operations, Remi Taffin, revealed that the "principal changes involve the internals of the ICE to give improved power and efficiency".