After much astonishment today that Toyota are to leave Formula One, it has been rumoured that Renault too may possibly be looking to leave the sport. They have apparently called an “extraordinary” board meeting today to discuss the team’s future in the sport. It will be attended by Renault F1 bosses Bob Bell and Jean-Francois Caubet, however they will not be allowed to take part in the debate about the team’s future.
One possibility could be that Renault decide to quit the sport as a team, and continue to be a supplier of engines only. Red Bull are soon to announce their renewal of their contract with the supplier.
Renault have had a very bad year. Earlier in 2009 team boss Flavio Briatore and executive engineer Pat Symonds were banned from the sport after it was revealed by sacked driver Nelson Piquet Jr that they intentionally crashed the car in Singapore in order for Fernando Alonso to win the Grand Prix.
As a consequence of this, ING – their main sponser also pulled away from the team.
Subsequently, Alonso has now decided to leave the team, heading for Ferrari – leaving rookie Romain Grosjean, and the incoming Robert Kubica as drivers. Alonso recently spoke about the car, and how it was the worst car on the grid.
If Renault were to leave Formula One, it would leave only Ferrari on the grid as a car manufacturer team. Renault are expected to clarify/confirm their position in F1 later today.
update: BBC News are now confirming this rumour.
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If Renault did quit F1 then I think it would be interesting to see where Kubica goes – I see him as a good prospect for the 2nd seat at McLaren, especially as he gets on well with Hamiton.
So clearly we can consign the manufacturer-owned team experiment to the dustbin, can’t we?
Was it ever going to end in any other way? Manufacturers are commercial organisations driven by profit and shareholder value. The investment in F1 is difficult to justify in the best economic conditions. When things go south and your looking at your costs, it’s impossible to make a case. Ferrari has always used F1 as it’s sole marketing activity. If BMW, Toyota, Renault and the rest decided to stop advertising so they could continue F1 then fair enough, but they won’t.
I’m much happier with manufacturers providing engines and teams reflecting the personalities of their owners.