The specific design of Red Bull’s RB8 could be the reason behind its Magneti Marelli/Renault alternator failures, according to a report.
With team owner Dietrich Mateschitz calling on engine supplier Renault to dump its alternator partner Magneti Marelli, the Kolner Express tabloid said Adrian Newey’s chassis design could be the real problem.
Although Renault also supplies engines to Lotus, Williams and Caterham, the lion’s share of the alternator problems have been suffered by Red Bull.
’Express’ said the problem could be the narrow construction at the back of the RB8.
A source is quoted as saying: "In other Renault cars, the alternator works perfectly. For the problems encountered by Red Bull, something is failing due to an external influence, which leads to overheating."
Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko said: "Unfortunately we don’t know the exact reasons for the defects. But we are unable to influence it from the chassis side."