Renault: We seem to have moved backwards

Amid headline grabbing criticism by Red Bull F1 bosses, Renault have put their hand up and admitted that the reliability of their Formula 1 power unit package has been woeful and accept that in fact they have taken a step backwards.

Renault F1 managing director, Cyril Abiteboul said after a below par performance at the season opening Australian Grand Prix, "The weekend [in Melbourne] has been very frustrating. We know that we made genuine progress over the winter but we could not show it here and in fact we would even seem to have moved backwards."

"Now, we need to react, but not overreact, and get back to some basic common sense that has always driven our approach in all these years of F1 engine development. The season will be long, we have the time and the capacity to react and get this very bad start of the 2015 season behind us," added Abiteboul.

Rémi Taffin, Renault director of operations was singing from the same hymn sheet, "From the start of the weekend we’ve faced a number of technical issues, both at Red Bull and Toro Rosso. Reliability has been below par, with Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen suffering ICE problems."

"The two are not related and we are already investigating a recovery programme to make sure we do not see a repeat. The biggest issue has been the driveability, which has made it hard for all the drivers to feel comfortable in the cars."

"It affects pedal application and confidence in the corners so has cost lap time and points this weekend. It’s related to the maps, or the way the Power Unit is configured."

"It’s definitely not an easy fix, it does not require a complete redesign. We have got a lot of work to do before Malaysia but equally a lot of motivation to not repeat the same issues we had this weekend," explained Taffin.

The likes of Christian Horner and Helmut Marko were seething all weekend in Melbourne, and scathing in their very public criticism of their engine supplier.

The partnership between Red Bull and Renault began in 2007, and since then they won eight world championships - four drivers' and four constructors' from 2010 to 2013 - and 50 grand prix victories in the process.

But it appears history is insignificant, as Red Bull have even hinted that they might quit the sport, however ongoing reports that Audi and the energy drinks outfit are cosying up are growing in credibility.

Renault have admitted that they may be on the market for a Formula 1 outfit so that they can tackle the sport once again as a works team with Toro Rosso being bandied about as part of a divorce settlement between the two parties. Watch this space...