- Renault
Renault open to team ownership return
Renault says it is open to the idea of taking over an existing team on the grid, though no firm decisions have been made over its future in Formula One.
Renault currently supplies Red Bull and Toro Rosso with engines, with Caterham dropping off the grid last year, and is trying to cut the big gap to Mercedes from 2014. Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul says the French manufacturer wants to keep a strong presence in motorsport.
"We are happy to be a power unit supplier," Abiteboul told RMC. "Our priority is to help Red Bull become world champions again. They're the only team that can reclaim the title in the near future. Renault is going to become more and more aggressive in the field of sports cars. This is a segment where we are quite active and recognised, but maybe not significant enough just yet. By developing and strengthening our position in the world on this market we'll make our involvement in motor racing and Formula One more pertinent."
Abiteboul stressed nothing has been decided but said the long-term vision of Renault in motorsport could see an existing F1 team become a Renault factory outfit.
"Taking over an existing team is not out of the question, but absolutely nothing has been decided either. It must fit within a broader, very long-term plan that has to be paired with a global industrial strategy. F1 is not the only medium on Earth through which our cars can be more relevant. We must think about a global sport strategy that suits Renault best. We'll keep an eye on everything, including the evolution of the sport and its funding."
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