A spat has broken out between Max Verstappen and Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul over the level of criticism the Dutchman throws at the French manufacturer’s engine.
In Singapore, the Red Bull driver was very outspoken over the radio as he suffered regular false neutrals and drops in power with an upgraded spec-C unit, something some believe cost him pole in qualifying and potentially the race win.
“I think that we have a very demanding user in the person of Max. Not very quiet, also,” Abiteboul responded on Friday.
“I think the team has done a great job in order to provide Max what was needed in order to have a good weekend in Singapore, very clear. The C-spec as we call it is a good step.
“I think that is a clear step in power that can also be for a certain number of limitations and that was part of the plan to introduce at a later stage a B-spec.
“It’s a bit unusual in terms of pattern but it’s a plan we agreed specifically on the request of Red Bull.”
On the reasons why Red Bull might have wanted the older spec engine for the final races, Verstappen cited reliability concerns at high-altitude circuits such as Mexico City and Interlagos.
“I think that any engine performs not as good in a high altitude,” Abiteboul claimed. “I guess the power increase we have seen would have been equal in a track like Mexico. So no I don’t agree with those comments and in general, I think Max should focus on the car.”
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Unsurprisingly, the man who turns 21 today (Sunday) didn’t take those comments lying down.
“If he would concentrate a little bit more on his own team instead of moaning about me all the time, they would already be world champions,” he told Ziggo Sport.
“That man is just frustrated, I’m just very honest. I explained clearly why we have to revert back to the B [spec].
“That turbo won’t last in Mexico and Brazil. If we would race with that [engine] then we would not make it to the finish for sure. So, it’s not that I’m lying. I just think that he can’t take it very well, that I am too realistic and too straightforward.
“I demand a lot from the equipment, but I’m here to win. I’m not here to become seventh like they are doing.”