Renault's lack of power proving costly in Austria - MotorSportsTalk

Pastor Maldonado has explained how the lack of power in the Renault engines has been particularly noticeable this weekend in Austria.

The Lotus driver qualified fourteenth at the Red Bull Ring yesterday, which is in fact his best Saturday result of the season so far. However, he made no secret of the struggles that Lotus and the other Renault-powered teams have been dealing with.

“For sure we are not where we want to be,” Maldonado explained after qualifying. “We were expecting to be even more competitive this weekend because of the kind of track and the downforce level of the track, but we realized that we are paying a lot for the lack of power here.

“It’s very clear. Even Red Bull, they are in the same conditions like us. In qualy, we are maybe a tenth away from Red Bull, which is not that much. I think in terms of work and what the team did and how we prepared for the race, I think we are not that bad. We are close to Red Bull, which is our main reference.

“They’ve been doing some podiums, some good races with the same engine, and here they are struggling more. For sure, they are slightly quicker still, but less than the other races.”

The Renault-powered teams – Lotus, Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Caterham – have all been struggling with their power units this season after the French marque fell behind schedule during the off-season. Despite coming a long way since the beginning of the year, there are still problems that are blighting the form of its customers.

In fact, the problem is so big at Red Bull that Helmut Marko has suggested the team could switch engine supplier or even produce power units in-house in the future.

For Maldonado, the focus in Austria will be on improving his best finish this season of fourteenth.

You can watch the Austrian GP live on NBCSN and Live Extra from 7:30am ET.

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The IndyCar Series has re-signed NTT as its title sponsor in a multiyear agreement starting in 2024.

NTT, a global information technology and communications company based in Japan, became the series’ title sponsor before the 2019 season after starting as a sponsor of the No. 10 Dallara-Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

NTT Data (a subsidiary of parent company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.) will remain the official technology partner of IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Brickyard weekend.

With the extension, an IndyCar spokesman said NTT would become the second-longest title sponsor in series history. The longest title sponsor was PPG from 1980-97 (under the CART sanction of the Champ Car Series).

NTT replaced Verizon, which was IndyCar’s title sponsor from 2014-18 after IZOD from 2010-13.

“NTT is an excellent partner across our enterprise with strong expertise and a deep commitment to our sport,” Penske Corp. chairman and IndyCar owner Roger Penske said in a release. “From Smart Venue technology at the Racing Capital of the World to the reimagined Series mobile application, NTT is transforming the fan experience in new and innovative ways. We look forward to a bright future together.”

NTT has used artificial intelligence-enabled optical detection technology at IMS to provide information to the track’s operations and security teams, helping improve fan traffic flow and safety, the track said.

“IndyCar is a great partner for NTT Data because of our shared commitment to driving innovation, increasing sustainability and delivering amazing experiences,” NTT Data CEO Kaz Nishihata said in a release. “We also appreciate how IndyCar is so diverse, with drivers from 15 different countries, and races that range from short ovals and superspeedways to road and street courses. It’s both an incredible sport and a wonderful example for our world.”

NTT also has been instrumental in helping redesign the IndyCar app and providing more race and driver data for use in NBC Sports’ broadcasts by utilizing 140 data points from every car in the field.

“NTT is fully invested in the development and growth of our sport and has already established a terrific track record in our industry with problem-solving capabilities and access to top talent and tools,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said.

Said NTT Data Services CEO Bob Pryor: “We’re thrilled to continue our collaborations that enhance and expand the fan experience for motorsports and serve as proof points for data analytics, AI, and other innovative digital technologies. For more than a century, this racing series has pioneered innovations making driving safer for everyone, and by continuing this relationship, we will accelerate the pace of innovations and new technologies, particularly related to sustainability that ultimately can benefit organizations, communities and individuals around the world.”

Starting as a Japanese telephone company, NTT grew into a $100 billion-plus tech services giant with U.S. operations based in Plano, Texas.