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Renault considering F1 exit
Renault is considering its F1 future with options varying from a takeover of Toro Rosso to leaving the sport entirely.
Following a difficult first year under the new engine regulations, the French manufacturer has made another slow start to this season and its customers have reduced to just two teams, Red Bull and Toro Rosso. Red Bull has been particularly critical of its engine partner, with high-profile figures within the team laying the blame for its troubles at the Australian Grand Prix firmly outside the Renault motorhome.
Renault Sport F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul said his company is considering its options at the moment, including leaving the sport as a direct result of the bad press it is receiving.
"I can confirm that we are looking at a lot of options, including getting out of Formula One," he said. "Honestly, if Formula One is that bad for Renault's reputation, if we see that we struggle with the current formula, if Formula One is not delivering value what it costs Renault, bearing in mind that when you are an engine supplier you have no financial incentive to develop and to fund engine development, so this is what we are looking at.
"Obviously we think that we are a credible player in the sport but we want to compete amongst the best brands and that Formula One is good for meet and plan as a brand, then we need to think about what else can we do to what we are doing and if you do that, this is an open market, we have the capacity to have discussions with lots of parties. But as I've said, for the time being the focus is on engines."
Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost hinted that Renault has approached his team, which is also owned by Red Bull, about setting up a works team.
"I think this would be a fantastic opportunity for Toro Rosso to make the next step forward, because the team wants to be established in the future within the first five in the constructors' championship and to be part of a manufacturer. To work together with a manufacturer, to be owned by a manufacturer would be exactly this step forward which the team needs to be established in the first five."
But when asked directly about Renault buying a team, Abiteboul said getting the engine right remains the priority.
"We've seen in Melbourne that it was not really the start of season that we were expecting, both on track and off track, so before starting really to think about doing a car I think we need to get the engine under control, so that's the priority for the time being. Then if we can do that we'll have to review the situation from a marketing and strategic perspective and see if there is anything better to do than we are doing currently, from more of Formula One to less of Formula One, but for the time being we are focused on what we are doing."
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