Renault ready to supply more engines

Today, Rémi Taffin, the head of the engine program at Renault, declares that the French engine manufacturer is ready to expand its offer to other teams in 2011.

Currently, Renault supplies engines to Red Bull Racing as well as its own F1 entity run by Eric Boullier. In the past, the French specialist was associated with Williams as well as Lotus. These two teams are linked to Cosworth for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

«We do not know which teams we will supply next year» said Taffin. «We certainly have the capacity to supply more than two teams like we are doing this season, it would not be a big problem for us» he added.

Obviously, we will have to produce a few more engines and we will need more staff to handle this additional workload. Since we are managing to develop an engine for two teams, it won’t be a major problem to do it for three or four teams with some extra effort. That sets a measurable goal for Renault.

The engine produced at the Viry-Châtillon factory was considered one of the weakest on the grid last season. However, Renault has been allowed to make adjustments as part of an engine equalization process approved by the FIA.

With its own team proving the good health of the French lineup this year and considering Robert Kubica’s two podiums, combined with the domination of the RBRs powered by the same engine, the criticism of last year’s performances has quickly faded. Upon closer inspection, Renault has just secured the top three positions on the Monaco GP grid, as well as a triple on the podium. The Renault V8 engine is the real winner of this race weekend in the principality.

Taffin acknowledges that other engine manufacturers might produce more powerful units, but he stated that Renault was very happy with the overall performance of its engine: «I must say that it’s always very difficult to assess the overall power level of the engine. We may not have the best power level, but you have to look at the whole picture, how you have configured the engine in the car, how you can develop the engine in the car, or even the car around the engine.»

He concludes:

«So, I must say that, overall maybe we are not in as bad a shape as people say, but I am very happy with this engine. »

Renault F1 can look at Red Bull Racing, indeed with the same engine on board, the engineers at Renault can draw inspiration from the most accomplished car on the grid to optimize the R30. If by any chance this V8 engine becomes the world champion, it would then be even easier to conclude new engine partnerships for the next season.