MOTORSPORT – F1 2011 – GERMANY GRAND PRIX – NURBURGRING (GER) – 21 TO 24/07/2011 – PHOTO : DPPIAMBIANCE
Though it’s been admitted that the deal which would see Renault taking over Lotus hasn’t been finalized, we can safely assume that a Renault works team will be a reality in the not to distant future.
With both Sergio Perez and Romain Grosjean having stated that a drive at the ‘new’ Renault in 2016 was a possibility (the former deciding to renew his Force India contract, with the latter tipped to now have a seat at Haas F1), it seems that an announcement regarding the Renault takeover will happen before the end of the year.
Renault returned to Formula One as a works team in 2002, winning the 2005 and 2005 drivers’ and constructors’ championships, before selling the team to Genii capital (the owners of Lotus) at the end of 2010.
In 2011 Renault became solely an engine supplier, most notably supplying Red Bull Racing engines over the course of their four consecutive world championships, in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
No doubt Renault would have left the sport altogether in 2010 if they hadn’t already spent millions on developing their V8 engine (one they could sell for a hefty price no less), and knowing that smaller engine regulations (bringing with them technology that they could filter down to their road cars) would be introduced in 2014.
As such, it makes sense for Renault to return as a works team at this time, as the ‘smaller engine’ model we now see in Formula One sits well with the Renault brand; Renault predominantly manufacturing mid-engine sized cars.
However, though Renault’s return to Formula One as a works team could potentially benefit the sport greatly, it may also be the reason we see two teams disappear from the grid as soon as next year: Toro Rosso and four time world champions, Red Bull Racing.
Red Bull have been extremely vocal in their displeasure with the Renault power unit throughout this season and the last, so much so that the relationship between the French manufacturer and the Austrian drinks company is now seemingly irreparable.
As such, Red Bull are now on the look out for a new engine for 2016, and given that Mercedes have stated they won’t be providing them with an engine, and Honda’s power unit being worse than Renault’s, it really only leaves Red Bull with one option: Ferrari.
Though it would seem Ferrari are willing to be Red Bull’s engine supplier, there have also been concerns from Red Bull that the engine they will be given will be far below par in regards to power.
If that’s the case, Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz has stated that he will pull both Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso out of Formula One by the end of the year. A devastating blow to Formula One given that many believe the current grid is already lacking numbers.
Will this happen? Red Bull are not new to the ‘we are going to pull out of Formula One if we don’t get insert issue‘ line of talk. But with the Renault/Red Bull divorce almost certain, if Ferrari doesn’t provide the Austrian team engines, ‘pulling out’ will be their only option.
In recent weeks talk of a VW/Red Bull Racing merger has been circling, with VW set to buy the team and Red Bull to remain as its major sponsor.
If true, this would no doubt settle Red Bull’s lack of engine supplier woes, but in reality, any engine VW could manufacturer between now and the 2016 season would most definitely be under-powered. And as we have heard, if Red Bull can not be competitive next year, they will leave Formula One.
Barring the inclusion of Haas F1 next year, if we see Renault return and Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso leave, Formula One could be taking one step forward, but two big steps backward.