F1: Renault saving engine upgrade tokens

Renault is planning a big step with its Formula 1 engine in the middle of the season following confirmation that it has more upgrade tokens available than its rivals.

Under the engine homologation regulations, manufacturers can make changes to their engine designs worth 32 'tokens' this year, which equates to just under half of the engine as defined by the rules. Thanks to a new interpretation of the regulations, these changes can now be carried over into the season.

The FIA has confirmed that Renault has 12 tokens remaining, Ferrari 10 and Mercedes seven. Newcomer Honda has been granted an allowance of nine based on the average of the three established engine makers.

While the exact schedule for Renault's engine upgrade plan is yet to be finalized, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner expects its full 2015 power unit to appear in the middle of the year at the earliest.

"It's still a bit up in the air," he said when asked when a version of the power unit with all tokens spent is expected to appear. "Obviously, we've got only four engines, so the idea is to bring it in as early as possible.

"There's a lot of work going on behind the scenes both at Viry (Renault's French base) and with Mario Illien, who has been contracted to Renault."

Renault is facing a difficult start to the season, with its engine struggling to be competitive with the leading Mercedes-powered cars. Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo suffered an engine failure on Friday despite Renault aiming to bring a conservative, reliable specification of power unit to the early races of the year.

Based on the weekend so far, Red Bull faces a big battle to get into the fight for best-of-the-rest behind Mercedes with Williams and Ferrari, both of which appear to be quicker.

"Obviously the gap to Mercedes, from what we can see, is still pretty similar to what it was at the end of last year but the group behind looks pretty close," said Horner.

Originally on Autosport.com