Renault expect McLaren and Red Bull to be 'challenging' customers

Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul has claimed that he expects McLaren and Red Bull to be high maintenance in their demands for the 2018 season, as the French manufacturer provides engine parts for the two teams as well as entering their own works team in F1.

Last season, Renault provided parts for Red Bull, but have taken on McLaren for the 2018 season after they opted to ditch their unreliable Honda engines.

Another high-profile customer combined with the new three-engine limit ruling, is making Abiteboul expectant of a challenge.

"There is more positive than there is some negative in those relationships, even though I accept it's going to be high maintenance and going to be an interesting season to manage," Abiteboul told reporters.

"It's interesting because it's challenging - but at the same time it's providing motivation to everyone.

"There is clearly pride to be supplying engines to other great teams and their fantastic drivers.

"Also, McLaren has a wealth of experience and can show us the way to push our engine, but also new ways of making sure we have a winning package.

"Frankly I'm looking forward to it. It's good to be in a competitive environment, but it's also good to be challenged."

For Renault's works team, they have Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz in their ranks and will be hoping to improve on their sixth-place finish from last season.

Red Bull, with a bit of luck, will be hoping to challenge for more Grand Prix titles with Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo at the helm, while McLaren have retained Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne to try and improve their fortunes with new engines.