McLaren has no concerns that Renault could try some underhand tactics in their bid to finish fourth in the Constructors’ standings.
The British team currently sits 21 points ahead of their engine supplier in that fourth position, having developed a superior chassis to the Enstone-based squad.
And while there is some prestige from finishing as the top midfield outfit as well as a financial boost, team boss Andreas Seidl believes there will be no impact to the relationship.
“I’ve said already before we have a very good, healthy relationship with Renault. It’s very transparent,” he said as quoted by PlanetF1.
“The step Renault made from last year to this year is also one of the reasons why we could make this step with the car.
“So there is full confidence in the partnership we are having.
“And also purely from the regulation side, there is a clear rule that the main team and customers get the same material and power modes.”
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On the issue of future engine improvements, the German chief was also calm, doubting Renault would withhold any upgrades.
“As always, whenever they’ve brought an update, first of all, it’s transparent what is happening in terms of timing,” he said.
“And as they have done in Barcelona, when we got the first upgrade in terms of reliability, we were both supplied at the same time with the upgrades.
“But obviously sometimes we don’t do it the same time because it depends on the overall planning, and how it fits into the overall season to avoid penalties.”
Looking longer-term, both McLaren and Renault have ambitions of using the 2021 regulations to close the gap to the leaders.
However, any suggestion of the two partners working together to do so was swiftly ruled out.
“Our relationship is really purely on the power unit side,” Seidl said. “As a team, we are an independent team and we also want to stay an independent team.”
