Renault’s jump

Renault’s engine is now capable of matching Ferrari’s for power, according to the French firm’s chief technical officer, Bob Bell. Renault was distinctly third fastest last year, behind both Mercedes and Ferrari in outright grunt and reliability. Bell said work over the winter to change the engine’s internal structure has paid off. He said: “It’s certainly behind Mercedes, but there or thereabouts with Ferrari. Renault has closed the gap to Mercedes. You only have to look at Red Bull’s performance last year. If nothing else that indicates not only a good chassis but that the engine has moved on a lot.”