Renault: no backing off for V6 turbo switch

Formula 1's engine manufacturers face an increased workload this year because of the new 2014 regulations, but Renault has made it clear that it will not allow the switchover to compromise its efforts to deliver more world championship titles this year.

Renault's deputy manging director Rob White said that his company is adamant that it will treat 2013 as it has any other season in ensuring it gives it best right until the end of the campaign.

"We are very conscious that all the teams we currently supply expect us to be fully engaged and committed," White told AUTOSPORT. "I strongly believe that it needs to be business as usual on the race track in 2013.

"There are some upstream processes, because of design, development and supply chain reasons, that are getting more and more dedicated to 2014 activity.

"But in terms of the care and maintenance and going racing right now, we absolutely want to be on top of our game all the way through the season.

"World championships are hard won, race victories are hard won - and we absolutely want to be there with each and every one of our teams that can mark big points with podiums and wins."

The Renault-powered Red Bull and Lotus teams are currently first and second in the constructors' championship, but look set to face a tough challenge from Ferrari and Mercedes over the remainder of the campaign.

Renault is already well advanced with the development of its new V6 turbo engine, which is due to hit the track for the first time next January.

The change of power unit for next year will mean that the production of V8-specific parts will come to a natural end over the forthcoming months, but White said that would not stop his company working on all the areas it can to help improve car performance.

"Of course there comes a point when the reality of the upstream processes, and the lead time considerations [for new parts] means it is not possible to significantly influence the hardware, and our intention is to race the hardware in the specification it is now until the end.

"But the work that is done by the engine engineers, and the preparatory work done by their colleagues back at the factory, remains with the same kind of approach it has had in previous years."

White believes that the increased need this year for drivers to be gentler on tyres has put an greater emphasis on improved power delivery.

"It brings into the spotlight a key part of the relationship between the drivers of the car and his engine engineer," he said.

"In the accelerating and braking phase there are engine calibration changes that can help get the driver to the best place to look after the tyres.

"In a period where everyone is massaging tyre use, that is important."