Horner: Renault jump should be as big as Ferrari last year

Renault is tipped to make considerable progress with its Formula 1 power unit in 2016, as the works team prepares to unveil its new race livery.

After the Lotus buyout, the Enstone team has been running in familiar black during testing but is expected to switch to Renault's traditional yellow - with a weight-saving matte finish - for the race season.

Renault has announced that the livery will be shown mid next week in Melbourne, but was giving little away about the colours. "Black, blue, yellow, red, striped?" the French carmaker teased.

The works team aside, Renault is also expected to put its full concentration into improving the power unit in 2016, after two seasons of sub-standard performance with Red Bull in the 'power unit' era so far.

Despite the re-branding of the engines as TAG-Heuer, Red Bull is looking forward to the progress.

Auto Motor und Sport claims Renault's step forward since the end of last year has been modest, but a 35 horse power step for Canada is now scheduled.

"The jump should be as big as the one made last year by Ferrari," declared Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

After dominating the sport from 2010 to 2013, Red Bull only won three races in 2014 during the first year of the new F1 turbo power era. Last season they did not win a grand prix for the first time since 2008.