Red Bull is now the works Renault team.
That is the claim of Red Bull principal Christian Horner, after the team’s new engine supply deal with Renault Sport F1 was announced at Monza.

It was announced not only that Renault engines will continue to power the Red Bull cars through 2017, but that the parties will collaborate “to develop innovative technical solutions” for the new V6 engine of 2014.

Renault’s managing director Jean-Francois Caubet added that the deal, to utilise Red Bull’s “input, resources and vast in-house F1 car expertise”, will also benefit Renault’s “other team partners” like Lotus-Renault, Team Lotus and Williams.

For example, according to Renault’s chief operating officer Carlos Tavares, Red Bull’s input could be used to devise “formidable aerodynamic packaging” for the new engine.

So even though an entirely separate team still bears the Renault chassis name, and in light of Williams’ historic ties, it is Red Bull that should now be considered as having works status, according to Horner.

“The partnership with Renault/Nissan alliance is an important one for the team,” he told the Red Bull website.

“It guarantees stability, it makes us the premier, factory team of Renault Sport, so our colleagues where the engines are produced will be working hand in hand with the engineers and designers at Red Bull.”

Horner added that Renault and Red Bull will also set up a “joint venture” to supply gearbox and KERS systems.