Toro Rosso hits back at Renault claims over engine use

2017 Brazilian Grand Prix

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Toro Rosso has his back against claims from Renault that its recent power unit failures have been caused by how it is operating its engine.

“Due to recent accusations made in the media from the team’s engine supplier, Toro Rosso wishes to clarify the actual situation regarding the power units,” the team said in a statement.

“It comes as a big surprise to the team that Cyril Abiteboul has suggested to the media that the problems Toro Rosso suffers with the power unit are primarily team related, and the way in which the power unit is operated in the STR12 chassis.”

“We would like to clarify that all the MGU-H and Shaft failures Toro Rosso has recently suffered are not associated with how the team is operating or with how the PU is integrated in the chassis.”

“Nothing has been changed or altered in this installation during the 2017 season, other than cooling improvements mid-season. Since the summer break Toro Rosso has suffered continuous power unit related failures, and the resulting grid penalties has cost the team points and relative positions in the constructors’ championship.”

“One of the primary reasons for the issues we are seeing is the lack of new power unit parts available. In Toro Rosso’s case the team is constantly having to change parts from one PU to another during the weekend and, on many occasions, is forced to run old specification assemblies.”

“The last race in Mexico saw only two cars out of six finish the race, highlighting the poor reliability.”

“We mustn’t forget that they are fighting with Toro Rosso for a better position in the Constructors’ championship, as suggested by Mr Abiteboul the situation may not be a coincidence, but it is certainly not due to STR’s car.”

2017 Brazilian Grand Prix

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    Keith Collantine
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    13 comments on “Toro Rosso hits back at Renault claims over engine use”

      1. It gets even better – according to Ted Kravitz and SkyF1, Renault are now considering to withdraw engine supply from Torro Rosso for the remainder of the season!

    1. “We mustn’t forget that they are fighting with Toro Rosso for a better position in the Constructors’ championship, as suggested by Mr Abiteboul the situation may not be a coincidence, but it is certainly not due to STR’s car.”

      Coming next week… official STR tinfoil hat, as worn by the press release writing guy.

      1. @ neilosjames What? Do you mean it’s deliberate? Holy mackerel..Thinking about it, I did see a puff of smoke above the grassy knoll in turn 3… Tin Foil Hats confirmed.

    2. What are they talking about, i have not seen Abiteboul saying it was because of the chassis but because of snowball effect of using old parts. Have I missed a key articile or interview? In any case Toro Rosso comment suggesting Renault does that on purpose is childish and plain stupid… If they can back it up with proof then fine, otherwise it beyond pathetic.

      1. Abiteboul said:
        “We do have a little bit of a concern about the way that our engine is operated in the Toro Rosso car, which may explain why we have had so many issues coming from Toro Rosso specifically. There are never coincidences in this sport.”

        That combination puts the blame fully at Toro Rosso, even though Renault PU parts were failing.
        No wonder Toro Rosso feels sold short.

        1. Alright thanks Bart, looks like Abiteboul should have think twice before talking, as usual. However I think TR reaction is way over the top, accusing them of cheating on the back of this is quite serious.

          Apparently Sky rumours is that Renault is checking how to remove their engine from the TR and ground them till end of season. Warm up the popcorn ;)

          1. I’m quite sure McLaren have a warm feeling about all of this, not.

          2. There is a video of Abiteboul yelling and fingerpointing at Marko.
            Hot-headed man…

            1. Who? Marko?

            2. Abiteboul is the worst “component” of the entire Renault organization, but he benefits from being a company guy (he joined Renault after graduating and was only away when managing the Caterham F1 team)

    3. “There are never coincidences in this sport.”

      Quote of the day.

      1. Quite true, there are no coincidences in this sport. In qualifying for Jerez ’97, for example, Williams and Ferrari conspired to arrange for Villeneuve, Frentzen and Schumacher to set identical times. The last Titanic survivor died at the age of 97. The lap time set – 1’21.072 – the number 2 appears twice, as does 1. 1+1=2. If you take the laptime to 2 decimal places you have 1’21.07. 7+2=9, leaving two 1’s. 9/11. Coincidence? I think not.

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