Renault to postpone engine development

Renault F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul has confirmed that they will hold back development of their new engine, as they look towards 2016.

Teams have 32 engine development tokens to use over the course of the season, but Renault have said that they intend to use them later on in the season so that they can carry momentum next year.

This may harm the title chances of Red Bull, who are supplied by Renault, as they will need the engine power in order to compete with last season’s champions, Mercedes.

Abiteboul told AUTOSPORT: “We have been capable of not only thinking of the next few races or next season, but the next seasons.

“Even though we have two years  of partnership to go hopefully there is a renewal, we need to maximise the value of money from the token if allocation that we have.

“I think that there is a bit of strategic thinking to employ for this decision and therefore for the in-season development for 2015.”

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