Red Bull-Renault split can help McLaren, says Brown

McLaren CEO Zak Brown hopes that Renault's split with Red Bull ahead of the 2019 Formula 1 season will benefit his team as the French marque may have more time to focus on their sole remaining customer on the grid.

Red Bull will link up with Honda from 2019 and beyond, something that may mystify those in Woking who opted to ditch the Japanese brand in favour of Renault for the 2018 campaign.

The decision initially looked inspired as Fernando Alonso came home fifth at the Australian GP ahead of the Red Bull of Max Verstappen, but McLaren soon sunk down the field and ended the season with just one top-10 finish across the final six races of the season.

Red Bull were notoriously demanding of Renault and Brown hopes that their supplier having less on its plate will pay off for McLaren.

"We're very happy with Renault," he said.

"We have a very good relationship with them. I got my report on how next year's power unit is coming along and that's very encouraging.

"They've given us a reliable engine this year and so it's going well we're happy with the decision that we've made, we're very happy with Renault.

"I think we'll benefit from having two teams on the grid next year, so they'll be focused on ourselves and themselves, and excited to have a long term future with them."

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