Toro Rosso F1 Renault powered in 2014
BY DANIEL GARDNER | 29th May 2013
The agreement will end the team’s seven-year relationship with Ferrari, which has supplied engines since the team’s second season in 2007.
With 12 entrants confirmed for next year’s season, one-third of the 2014 field will use a Renault powerplant.
Caterham, Lotus, and Toro Rosso’s sister team Red Bull Racing are currently using Renault V8 engines for the ongoing 2013 F1 series and are expected to continue the relationship when new 1.6-litre turbo engines roll out next year.
Williams F1, which currently uses Renault engines, announced this week it would switch to Mercedes powertrains for 2014.
Renault Sport F1 president Jaen-Michel Jalinier said: “while it is logical we would discuss supplying Toro Rosso based on our partnership with Infiniti Red Bull Racing, it was not a foregone conclusion”.
“We carefully considered what is best for all parties before concluding the agreement,” he said.
“Toro Rosso is a well-run, established team, with strong personnel and facilities giving the team the potential to be a regular points contender”.
Changes to the formula for 2014 are encouraging teams to focus on more sustainable and fuel-efficient technology with small-capacity turbocharged V6 engines and energy recovery systems.
A similarly sized 1.5-litre V6 turbo engine powered the Renault F1 cars between the late 1970s and mid-1980s, so the popularity of the 2014 engine may be partly due to the manufacturer’s proven record in F1 turbocharging.
Honda has also previously produced a turbocharged V6 for Formula 1 and, as reported, the move to concentrate on environmentally sensitive racing has encouraged it to return to F1 in 2015 after a six-year departure.
Systems developed in motor racing often filter down to road-car technology so Honda may be using the venture in F1 to develop turbocharging and direct fuel injection for future showroom models.
