Renault is delaying its next round of upgrades to MGU-K indefinitely due to reliability worries, says the French manufacturer’s engine boss Remi Taffin.
Renault was planning to bring a new upgrade to its MGU-K in time for the Canadian Grand Prix.
The new version was undergoing a durability test on the dyno and is yet to meet the reliability levels required for the season. The expected range is believed to be about 8,000 and 10,000km of usage.
Speaking with Motorsport.com, Taffin said: “It’s clear we have to work on the weight and this is one solution,”
“That’s why we did not rush into running that solution. There is no clear target of when. I would more say when it’s ready we will get into it.
“It’s reliability, it’s being able to get that MGU-K running for what we need to run through.”
But, the manufacturer is still introducing a partial upgrade at the next engine change. Since this is a 21 race season with a 3-engine limit, they will have to plan their next one carefully.
“It does [impact] on whether we would introduce it,” explained Taffin, referencing the reliability concerns.
“If we introduce it at race seven, it’s not going to do 13 races, so we would have to get number three and a penalty.”
Reliability is the biggest focus this year but the new version will still have some improvement. Taffin says they are expecting a “half a second” improvement in pace from the engine development.
“It’s always a problem to delay having performance on track but what we wish is to have reliable performance on the track,” he said.
“The target is to be at least at the level of the best by the time we get into next year.
“It’s a matter of trying to introduce the performance through that year, and trying also, if possible, to get some 2019 stuff in ’18.”
