Red Bull 'can be champions' with Renault - Abiteboul

Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul has warned Red Bull that leaving the French marque for Honda could be tantamount to giving up a return to championship-winning form. Red Bull are due to make a decision over their engine supplier for 2019 and beyond at the end of this month.

Red Bull dominated Formula 1 with Renault power between 2010 and 2013 as they won four consecutive drivers' and constructors' titles with Sebastian Vettel at the wheel.

However, they have only won 10 races in the turbo hybrid era, as Mercedes have streaked clear and Ferrari have out-developed Renault.

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Toro Rosso's progress with Honda since the Japanese brand's split with McLaren has been steady, and the senior Red Bull side are understood to have been offered a works partnership.

However, Abiteboul has warned against splitting from an established relationship that has helped Daniel Ricciardo win in Shanghai and Monaco this season - the Australian's uncertain future could be another reason to remain in place.

"I understand what they are looking to get, they are looking to the technical and commercial side because it's clearly different from being a customer and partner of Renault versus becoming a work team with Honda," Abiteboul told Sky Sports at the Canadian Grand Prix.

"It's very different, I appreciate that. But frankly, as far as I'm concerned, I think they have a chance, with us, to become world champions again.

"I can't say for Honda.

"But with what they have now, what's coming in the pipeline and their car - which is clearly a great car, maybe the greatest out there - they have a chance to become world champion again in the next two years.

"It's a complex decision for them and for us, but maybe its my emotional side.

"It's been 12 years, working with and pulling my hair out with Christian [Horner] and Helmut [Marko]. I don't want to lose any of that.

"For the construction of the Renault team, I think it's still interesting to get their benchmarking capacity, so we know where we need to work based on what they are doing.

"They show that the Renault engine can win races in straight conditions so that's a good sign of what we are doing, of where we're progressing and where we need to progress."