Watch the full F1 Report as Patrick Head and Graeme Lowdon join Natalie Pinkham on the new-look show ahead of the Australian GP
Friday 23 March 2018 04:59, UK
The Renault power unit still looks "fragile" and will leave Red Bull feeling weaker than rivals Mercedes and Ferrari in the F1 2018 title race, this week's F1 Report guests say.
Red Bull are tipped to push last season's dominant teams closer this year following an encouraging pre-season, but team principal Christian Horner has admitted that their "big variable" is around the progress engine suppliers Renault have made.
When's the Australian GP on Sky?
Williams co-founder Sir Patrick Head was a guest on the F1 Report: Australian GP Preview and is uncertain whether the French manufacturer have improved their engines enough.
"Renault still look a bit on the fragile side," he said. "If you look at the end of last year they were taking engine penalties left, right and centre.
"They've talked about how much dyno time they've had, I think a little bit less talking and we'll look to see what the facts are in the action.
"I'm sure Red Bull feel slightly more fragile in the engine department than Mercedes or Ferrari do."
Graeme Lowdon, chief of the Manor WEC team, joined Sir Patrick on the show and is intrigued to see how Red Bull's relationship with Renault develops through the season.
"Christian is doing very much what a team principal is supposed to do and putting pressure, hopefully in the right way, onto one of his key suppliers," Lowdon said.
"I think it will be interesting to see how that develops throughout the season because Christian doesn't have the luxury that Mercedes and Ferrari have of having direct responsibility for the production of the power unit."
Lowdon also believes the contrasting styles of F1's 'Big Three' could set things up for a fascinating title battle if a true three-way fight develops.
"What's fascinating is you have these three very different approaches. Mercedes are the class act, they are very efficient and very effective.
"Then you have Ferrari who are driven by a lot of passion with a big dollop of fear in there as well I think. You can see how that team is managed.
"And then you have Red Bull coming in trying to spoil the party of the other two. The other two are getting all the focus and all the pressure and I think Red Bull quite enjoy that."
SKY SPORTS F1's AUSTRALIAN GP SCHEDULE
Friday March 23
12.30am - Australian GP Practice One build-up
1am - Australian GP Practice One LIVE! (Repeats: 8.20am, 12pm, 3.45pm, 7.30pm, 11.15pm)
4.45am - Australian GP Practice Two build-up
5am - Australian GP Practice Two LIVE! (Repeats: 10.05am, 1.45pm, 5.30pm, 9.15pm, 1am (March 24))
Saturday March 24
2.45am - Australian GP Practice Three build-up
3am - Australian GP Practice Three LIVE! (Repeats: 11.30am, 4.15pm, 12am (March 25)
5am - Australian GP Qualifying build-up
6am - Australian GP Qualifying LIVE! (Repeats: 8.45am, 12.45am, 5.30pm, 9pm)
7.45am - The F1 Show LIVE!
Sunday March 25 (Don't forget the clocks go forward at 1am)
4.30am - Australian GP Pit Lane LIVE!
5.30am - Australian GP On the Grid LIVE!
6.10am - THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX LIVE! (Repeats: 9.10am, 12.30pm, 5pm, 8pm)
8.30am - Australian GP Paddock LIVE!
Watch the F1 2018 season-opening Australian GP exclusively live on Sky Sports F1 from March 23-25. Sky Sports F1 is the only place to watch every Formula 1 Grand Prix, qualifying and practice session live in 2018. Get Sky Sports F1.
