Renault Sport managing director Cyril Abiteboul has brushed off the latest tirade of negativity from Red Bull in the wake of Max Verstappen’s failure during the Hungarian GP.
The Dutchman was forced to pull over after just five laps at the Hungaroring as an MGU-K problem resulted in the fourth engine-related retirement for the Milton Keynes outfit this season and third in four races.
Over the radio, the 20-year-old launched a sweary tirade, though would later apologise, while team boss Christian Horner accused Renault of supplying a sub-standard product that the Austrian company pays millions of pounds for.
The Briton also said he expected excuses from Abiteboul, but instead, the Frenchman was beyond trying to respond.
“Our bosses have stopped reading what Christian Horner is saying about us since 2015,” he told Autosport, with the relationship between the two parties continuing to deteriorate.
“It’s very clear that we don’t want to have any dealings with them any more. It’s very clear it’s done.
“They will have their engine partner that will be paying a helluva money to get their product on board, and I wish them good luck. I have nothing else to say.”
He was, of course, referring to Red Bull’s decision to drop Renault at the end of the season and switch to Honda power from 2019.
As for an explanation as to why their customer team is struggling with so many engine issues, Abiteboul would lay the blame at Red Bull’s door.
“We switched at Monaco to an improved MGU-K but Red Bull is not using it because it affects the way the power unit is packaged on their car,” he claimed.
“The new MGU-K manages and contains the temperatures more effectively. There were no problems with our cars, but we cannot force Red Bull to go with it. It’s their decision.”