Latest Renault F1 engine “within 10bhp” of the best

A lack of power unit performance was a handicap for the Alpine team last year, when Renault’s Viry-Chatillon powertrain division was focussed on a major upgrade for this season, including a move to a split turbine and compressor arrangement for the first time.

Szafnauer says that his colleagues have done a “brilliant job” in closing the gap.

“We think we’ve made a step on the power unit,” he said. “And we’re within probably 10bhp of the best, and somewhere in the middle.

“I…