As of 12:45 local time today, the Renault cars have completed only 31 laps,
while the Mercedes engine teams have completed 115.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has admitted the team, more than any other
season, are extremely reliant on their engine supplier Renault for their
performance this season.
“The power unit is such a fundamental change and so complicated that it is a
game changer in Formula One”, Horner said.
“We will be relying extremely heavily on our engine partner. Power unit and
reliability will be the decisive factors this season.
“I think the timing of the engine introduction is perhaps an unnecessary
burden on all the teams, but now it is what it is. And it is the same now
for everybody. The teams had to support those rules, so it is impossible to
point fingers. Now we have to get on with it.”
Meanwhile, Ferrari have not had a totally trouble-free morning, as although
Fernando Alonso has completed 32 laps and is second laps, at one point he
had to stop out on track.
Button is again fastest so far with a 1.25 min lap.