Renault and Red Bull call for F1 engine freeze

Both Renault and Red Bull have called for engine development to be frozen until 2020 if Formula 1 decides to implement new power-unit regulations in 2021. Renault Sport F1 chief Cyril Abiteboul says the French manufacturer do not deem it "sustainable" to work on two engine projects at the same time.

Mercedes' power advantage since the introduction of hybrid engines has helped the Silver Arrows to four consecutive constructors' titles, with Renault - previously dominant alongside Red Bull - forced to field criticism from their high-profile customer.

F1 has proposed changes to engine rules in 2021, reportedly in an attempt to simplify power units and make them more affordable - although both Mercedes and Ferrari have criticised these plans.

Liberty Media are set to shed some light on those proposals before the Bahrain Grand Prix next week, but Abiteboul has warned that Renault believe new rules must follow a freeze on the current regulations.

"The one thing we will not want to do is to have the burden of developing two engines in parallel," he told Motorsport.

"That's one thing that is sure, but it's too early to talk about the technicalities of the way achieve that.

"There are two things basically in our key message and our position at Renault. First before committing to a regulation, we need to understand the bigger picture.

"And secondly we don't see it's acceptable or sustainable to have to work on two engines in parallel at the same time, for the simple reason that if there was to be a new entrant, which is what we wish, he will have a fantastic advantage in being able to focus on the future, and not to have to worry about the present and the customers, and so and so forth.

"I'm just discussing principles which I think are logical, and fair for the next steps."

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko echoed Abiteboul's claims, adding his belief that F1 should make more of an effort to bring performance across the grid into line until the regulations are changed.

"If new engine rules are coming, which we hope should be announced pretty soon, then we have to freeze the engines as they are now," Marko told Motorsport.

"And there should be a rule that every engine has to be within three percent, and that is to be properly fulfilled.

"Then we can live until 2020. Nobody has to make development on these engines, and that's the way to go."