F1: Renault Says It Changed Engines Before Bahrain

Formula 1

F1: Renault Says It Changed Engines Before Bahrain

Renault insists it was not allowed to make changes to its engine after the season started...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted March 22, 2010 GMM Newswire

A spokesperson for Renault said the changes allowed by the FIA were all in accordance with the rules allowing modifications on grounds of cost reduction and reliability. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Renault has played down reports they have been allowed to make new changes to its Formula One engine.

It was reported recently that Renault, supported by its F1 customer Red Bull, had lobbied the FIA to be allowed to catch up with Mercedes' arguably best engine on the grid.

Red Bull's Christian Horner said last month: "It would be a disaster to lose another engine manufacturer at the end of the year because they cannot compete with the others."

But amid suggestions that none of the permitted changes involved improving either performance or fuel efficiency, a Renault source clarified Monday that the news is not even new.

Rather, the source said the FIA's approved changes have not "just been green-lighted" but were rather all implemented in the winter pre-season.

Moreover, the changes were all in accordance with the rules allowing modifications on grounds of cost reduction and reliability, and the source said "every engine manufacturer" is in dialogue with the FIA on the same basis.