Renault will no longer be just an engine supplier in F1
For the first time, Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of Renault, confirmed that the Losange would no longer be just an engine supplier in F1. Negotiations have therefore begun with Red Bull to terminate the current contract.
After months of complaints from Red Bull, the point of no return seems to have been reached for Renault. On the occasion of the Frankfurt Motor Show, Carlos Ghosn informed Autosport that Renault would not remain in the current situation, namely being just an engine supplier: “We have clearly said it’s over. We have already alerted the Formula 1 authorities, telling them: ‘Don’t count on us as an engine supplier. It’s finished.'”
While the current contract with Red Bull and Toro Rosso was to extend until 2016, negotiations have begun to terminate it: « We are going to honor our contracts, no problem there. But the situation where Renault is a developer and engine supplier is over. »
He who has never been particularly a fan of motorsport is primarily expecting a return on investment from his presence in F1, which was increasingly not the case: « Unfortunately, when we were winning championships, the Renault name was never mentioned. It was the team that was winning. So we were already starting to find our return on investment very low. »
As soon as the successes faded with the introduction of the new engine, things became even more complicated since the name Renault was then mentioned but to explain the lack of performance of its customer teams: « This intensified when the technology changed and we moved from V8 engines to the current technology. Some of our teams were not doing very well and the reason became the engine. »
He therefore criticizes the lack of team spirit of his future ex-partner as soon as the tide turned after four consecutive titles: “I think it’s a question of team spirit. For us, if we are in a sport working with other people, then we win and lose together.”
However, Renault is still in the analysis phase, with two options still on the table, as confirmed to Autocar: « Our future is the subject of detailed analysis and renegotiations. Either we are going to leave, or we are going to have our own team. We have not yet made our final decision. »
It is therefore highly likely that Red Bull is now powered by Ferrari since Mercedes has already made it known that it is not interested in the prospect of working with a direct rival. Especially since Renault and Mercedes are now linked by both an industrial and capital alliance.
With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr
