Renault asks for engine freeze extension

Renault has asked for an extension to Friday’s deadline for the development ’freeze’ of its troubled turbo V6 power unit.

Actually, the homologation deadline is Friday at mightnight, when the basic performance specifications of Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault’s new power units are set to be formally homologated by F1’s governing body.

But Auto Motor und Sport reports that Renault, grappling so obviously with its new V6 and related systems, asked the FIA for a postponement of the deadline on Thursday.

Correspondent Michael Schmidt claims Renault, supplier to the reigning world champion team Red Bull and three others, has asked for "two to three" more months to get to the bottom of its technical problems.

Renault’s request will be on the agenda at Friday’s meeting of the strategy group in London, Schmidt added.

It is reported Renault president Carlos Ghosn has already met with FIA president Jean Todt "to convince him of the seriousness of the situation".