Canada GP could be key for Red Bull’s engine decision
The Canadian Grand Prix could determine whether Red Bull decide to stick with Renault, who powered them to all their Formula One championships, or switch to Honda engines from next season.
Team boss Christian Horner said Monaco Grand Prix, won by his Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo, that a decision would have to be made by “end of June, beginning of July”. “We’re waiting with great interest to see the performance of engines in Montreal,” he added.
Canada, on June 10, is the seventh round and both manufacturers are planning to bring major upgrades to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Red Bull, whose Renault engines are branded Tag Heuer, have won twice this season but have had a rocky relationship with the French company since the start of the V6 turbo hybrid era in 2014.
LONDON:
HAMILTON FEELS RICCIARDO WILL STAY
Daniel Ricciardo’s stock has never been higher but Hamilton reckons the Australian is unlikely to be anywhere other than Red Bull next season. That said, the Briton, who is currently engaged in his own contract negotiations with Mercedes, expects him to earn much more in future. The Australian is out of contract with Red Bull at the end of the year and champions Mercedes or Ferrari are possible alternatives with Finns Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen yet to be confirmed. “I would imagine his future is there (Red Bull),” said Hamilton. “He is one of the top drivers so I am sure there will be options for him. There’s only Ferrari and Mercedes that he could ever consider, but currently here (Mercedes) that’s unlikely.”