Red Bull will continue to use Renault power units in 2016 but will re-badge the engine as a Tag-Heuer as part of revised terms of its deal following attempts to secure a different engine supply last year. Renault has taken over Lotus to return as a constructor while also taking on the services of Mario Illien’s Ilmor to aid power unit development and Wheatley is encouraged by the progress so far.
“There’s some very good news coming out of France at the moment,” Wheatley told GPUpdate. “It’s not going to be extraordinary, but they’ve made some gains – it’s very positive.
“I think that’s probably where we are at the moment. Is it going to be on the same level as the other [leading] power units in 2016? I think that’s probably unlikely. But we only need to get close.”
And Wheatley says last year’s uncertainty has not hurt the team’s preparations, claiming Red Bull is actually “well ahead of schedule” with its 2016 car.
“It’s been a challenge, but I think if there’s any team capable of dealing with that it’s us. The guys have done a fabulous job in the factory – amazing work over Christmas. Everything feels pretty much under control. We know what we’re going to get and when we’re going to get it.
“We were lucky in that the power unit that we ended up with [Renault] was the one that we knew very well, so the packaging [of the car] has been relatively straightforward in that respect. I was sat with the chief designer recently and things are well ahead of schedule.”
