Renault is a secret to Red Bull’s recent success in formula one, the French carmaker claims.
The common perception, however, is that the energy drink-owned team has dominated the sport in recent years despite Mercedes-Benz actually supplying a more powerful 2.4 litre V8 engine to Red Bull’s rivals.

“The Mercedes engine is indeed about 15 horse power more powerful than ours,” confirmed Renault Sport F1′s Jean-Francois Caubet.

“But in terms of driveability and fuel economy, it is our engine in front. So when it comes to the bottom line, we are a little bit better than Mercedes,” he claimed to Germany’s Sport Bild magazine.

The most crucial factor, Caubet claimed, is the engine’s fuel economy amid the backdrop of the recent ban on in-race refuelling.

“Because our consumption is lower, Red Bull can start the races with 15 to 18 litres less petrol in the tank than the competition,” he said.

“That makes a big difference.”

Another factor is Sebastian Vettel’s driving, he agreed, with the back to back world champion having a “very fuel efficient” style, and being “extremely interested in the data”.

“They are both key factors when the driver wants to use the engine perfectly,” said Caubet.

French carmaker Renault’s continuing involvement in formula one relies on “certain conditions” being present.
That is the claim of Carlos Tavares, who is the marque’s freshly appointed chief operating officer.

After the ‘crashgate’ scandal, Renault effectively withdrew from F1 as a works team and is now only an engine supplier to the Red Bull, Lotus Renault, Team Lotus and – in 2012 – Williams teams.

“It was a reasonable decision which led us to a level of expenditure in line with our means,” Tavares is quoted in a French language report by Agence France-Presse.

“Renault does not have infinite funds,” he insisted. “This decision allowed the company to refocus its efforts on the core of the race engines.”

AFP said that instead of paying EUR 220 million to run the works Renault team in 2009, the marque now spends just 60 million on its F1 programme.

Asked about the difference in image, Tavares answered: “I don’t know that we have lost anything.”

As for the future, he said Renault’s “strategy is to be the leaders in zero-emission vehicles.

“Our commitment to F1 is long-term when the conditions of cost, image and sporting fairness are also met”, added Tavares.

“As long as the conditions are there, there is no reason to not be in F1. It has been almost 30 years that we have demonstrated our passion (for F1) and we continue to do so every day.”

Engine supplier Renault has confirmed its serious concerns about the dithering over formula one’s engine regulations for 2013.
FIA president Jean Todt wants to push ahead with the ‘greener’ four-cylinder turbo route, but has admitted the rules might be delayed due to concerns expressed by Cosworth, Ferrari and Mercedes.

Managing director Jean-Francois Caubet has signalled this week that if Renault’s competitors succeed in postponing the new rules, he fears the French carmaker’s commitment to F1 would be in doubt.

“We want to know what to do rather than delay or defer,” he is quoted by Autosprint’s auto.it.

“It seems to me that the situation is losing control. We understand and respect the ideas of Ferrari, Mercedes and Cosworth, but we are not willing to accept delays or to see things change in this way.

“The matter is becoming a problem,” insisted Caubet. “It is not clear who is managing the sport.”

Todt admitted last week that “those responsible at Renault tell me they will go out of F1″ if the engine rules do not come into effect in 2013.

Renault sees the new engine formula for 2013 as a great opportunity, managing director Jean Francois Caubet has confirmed.

The French carmaker has withdrawn as a team owner of the Enstone based team that bears its name, but remains committed to supplying engines for at least the next three years.

That three-year period covers the transition from the current ‘frozen’ V8 engine formula to the new four-cylinder turbos that will debut in 2013.

“The engine for 2013 evens out the playing field,” said Caubet, addressing suggestions Renault’s current 2.4 litre unit is not up to speed with the leading Mercedes and Ferrari.

“The dossier of the FIA speaks for itself,” he added, according to motorsport-total.com. “There are technological innovations; the competition is completely open.

“There are precise rules for the costs, the materials, the number of engines per season and the speed (rev) limit. Technologically, we have great freedom,” said Caubet.

“Everyone starts with a blank sheet of paper. May the best win.”

With the new formula also designed to lure car manufacturers back to F1, Caubet admitted it is “too soon” for BMW to return, but indicated that Volkswagen is “hesitating”.

And he said there is a “third group” now eyeing F1.

“It is the Japanese,” confirmed Caubet. “I am surprised by their interest in the new engine, but of course the cost aspect may have changed the attitude.

“The Europeans are in front, the technologies are new — I suppose they cannot afford to not be here,” added Caubet, who indicated that Honda is seriously considering a return.

Although lamenting France’s dwindling involvement in F1, Alain Prost believes Renault’s decision to be only an engine supplier from 2011 is not a bad one.

Although it still bears the French carmaker’s name, Renault no longer owns any of the Enstone based team following the buy-in deal involving Group Lotus.

Instead, Renault has launched Renault Sport F1, to supply engines to the two Lotus teams as well as Red Bull.

“As the owner of a team it’s always a bit complicated because you have to manage many things at once,” said quadruple world champion Prost to autohebdo.fr.

The famous Frenchman said a lack of results is also difficult for a manufacturer in F1.

“With just the engine (supply), you can always offload your responsibilities to the chassis, especially since the latter is the most important for the performance in F1.

“There is always a little war between the car side and the engine side. But if you’re doing the chassis and the engine, it’s always more difficult when you lose,” added Prost.

It is believed that Renault Sport F1 intends to develop a 1.6 litre four-cylinder engine for the beginning of the new turbo era in 2013.

“For a manufacturer like Renault, it (the new formula) is a big plus.

“In terms of technology, F1 is going to be closer to what is happening in road cars, including the reduction in engine size – which is called downsizing – with turbocharging.

“It’s an aspect that is very positive for Renault,” Prost said.

A contract formalising the sale of French carmaker Renault SA’s minority shareholding in the Enstone based formula one team will be signed on Wednesday.

That is the claim of the Paris daily Le Figaro, revealing that the buyer of the 25 per cent share is Proton, the Malaysian carmaker.

Without naming its sources close to the transaction, the newspaper said Proton’s Group Lotus brand will then become the title sponsor, in a EUR 30 million per season deal over five years.

Renault SA president and CEO Carlos Ghosn would not comment on the report except to say: “We’ll be there next year and in future seasons.”

But Le Figaro said the carmaker will actually only be an engine supplier to the renamed Lotus-Renault, Red Bull and the Malaysian team currently known as Lotus Racing in 2011.

Robert Kubica could be about to find himself free of his Renault contract, according to an Italian media report.

Group Lotus is reportedly looking to get involved with the Enstone based team in a EUR 60 million deal that could involve the outfit being renamed Lotus-Renault in 2011 and beyond.

With the French carmaker Renault SA’s involvement also reportedly changing, the situation could have knock-on effects for a range of existing team contracts, a report in Autosprint claims.

One of those contracts could be that of highly-rated Polish driver Kubica, who reportedly “would be free to choose another team”.

Carlos Ghosn has admitted there are moves afoot to change the nature of French carmaker Renault’s association with the F1 team that currently bears its name.

The marque’s president attended Sunday’s Brazilian grand prix amid rumours Renault is set to further distance itself from F1 as Group Lotus looks to get involved with the Enstone based team.

But Ghosn said Renault has actually expanded its involvement as an engine supplier by agreeing a deal with 1Malaysia for 2011, and said the carmaker will continue to be involved with both the engine and chassis at Renault F1.

“Beyond this, there may be financial agreements, marketing agreements, to suit our interests,” he is quoted by Auto Hebdo.

“There may be some developments, but for the moment there is nothing,” added Ghosn.

“What I can tell you is that, increasingly, we will be technology suppliers to many teams that are involved in formula one,” he said.

Amid rumours Renault F1 could become Lotus-Renault in 2011, Ghosn also left the door open for a change of team name.

“Name changes are everywhere,” he said.  “The key is to preserve the Renault name.  Apart from Renault F1, yes, there may be other associated names.

“We don’t want to give the impression that we are an exclusive team.  We are now developing our technology with multiple teams,” added Ghosn.

As for whether Renault SA might sell more of its minority stake in Renault F1, he answered: “I am not going to give a running commentary about discussions that have or have not occurred.

“But everything concerning our financial participation in this team or another, is tactical.  We are not in F1 to have a particular team but to promote the name and the technology of Renault.

“We will do whatever is necessary to do so at a lower cost and less investment.  We will not put in more resources that is necessary for that purpose.

“What is important is the expansion of our role as an engine and technology supplier.”

A report in the O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper estimated Group Lotus’ likely naming sponsorship of the Renault F1 team at EUR $60 million over three years.

Tony Fernandes has denied his Malaysian formula one team Lotus is set to change its name ahead of the 2011 season.

When the team and Renault confirmed their engine supply collaboration in Brazil on Friday, neither party referred to Fernandes’ outfit as ‘Lotus’.

The situation comes amid the naming dispute with Proton-owned Group Lotus, and new speculation the carmaker is set to enter F1 in an alliance with Enstone based Renault F1.

The latest rumour is that Fernandes will apply for a new name for his team at the F1 Commission meeting in December, at the same time that Renault F1 asks to be called Lotus-Renault in 2011.

But Fernandes wrote on Twitter: “Next season we are still Lotus.”

The team’s technical boss Mike Gascoyne, however, seemed to acknowledge on Friday the possibility of a name change.

“For me, the job I do on Monday doesn’t alter if the name changes,” he said at Interlagos.

Gascoyne referred to F1′s Brackley based team, which since 2004 has been called BAR, Honda, Brawn and now Mercedes, and said the outfit has “dealt with it very well”.

Arguably the bigger story is the apparent further scaling back of French carmaker Renault’s involvement with the team that bears its name, and the emergence of Group Lotus.

Renault SA chief executive Carlos Ghosn will be at Interlagos on Sunday “and maybe he will announce the deal”, French commentator Jean-Louis Moncet wrote on his Auto Plus blog.

Two formula one team bosses have indicated they hope Bob Bell will find accommodation after leaving Renault.

The 52-year-old Ulsterman has left the Enstone based team after a long post as technical boss, and having acted as team principal amid the crashgate scandal.

But with the departure of the French carmaker as majority owner, Renault came under new management in 2010 and Bell has now been replaced as managing director by Eric Boullier.

Bell joined McLaren as an aerodynamicist in the 80s before switching to Enstone based Benetton in 1997.

He moved to Jordan in 1999 and returned to Benetton – now Renault – in 2001 as deputy technical director, becoming technical director to replace Mike Gascoyne in 2003.

“He’s certainly a very capable guy,” said Williams chief executive and chairman Adam Parr.  “I hope he will get a job very soon.”

And Mercedes’ Norbert Haug added: “Bob did a good job and I’ve no idea what will happen.

“It’s (team principal) Ross (Brawn)’s job at the end of the day,” said the German.

French carmaker Renault is still interested in the formula one team that bears its name, team boss Eric Boullier said on Monday.

After the majority Genii Capital takeover, Boullier said Renault SA president and chief executive Carlos Ghosn meets regularly to keep up with the progress of the Enstone based team.

“There are regular meetings where he is informed about everything concerning the team — and that is a very positive sign,” he said in an interview with F1′s official website.

But he dismissed rumours that, with Renault a comfortable and credible fifth in the constructors’ world championship, the carmaker might now be interested in buying back its former majority stake.

Last month, a team insider said Renault had “no plans to change” the current arrangements.

And when also asked about the rumours, Boullier commented: “There is nothing to it.”

He was also coy on the identity of Robert Kubica’s teammate for 2011, after openly admitting Russian rookie Vitaly Petrov’s performance is under review.

Boullier said he is not convinced Kimi Raikkonen is motivated enough to return to F1, and indicated that talks with other candidates including Nick Heidfeld and Adrian Sutil are not yet taking place.

“Let’s put it this way,” said the Frenchman, “we don’t have a direct contact right now and the door is not open yet, but we have signalled that it could open under certain circumstances.”

Kimi Raikkonen’s interest in driving for Renault next year is “flattering”, team boss Eric Boullier has admitted.

2007 world champion Raikkonen’s manager last week confirmed reports the pair had spoken with Boullier about the vacant 2011 seat alongside Robert Kubica.

The 30-year-old Finn switched to world rallying this year after winning 18 grands prix with Ferrari and McLaren last decade.

“It’s flattering,” Boullier said in a French language report of the Agence France-Presse agency, “because it shows that our team is again attractive to a formula one world champion.”

After Fernando Alonso’s titles in 2005 and 2006, Renault entered a period of decline that resulted in the French carmaker selling to Luxembourg based Genii Capital at the end of last year.

“Our simulations show that our car has improved by about 1 and 3/4 seconds between the first test and now. We have been one of the teams with the greatest progressions.

“That is a true source of satisfaction,” admitted Boullier. “We have proved the team has the qualities to operate at the highest level.”

Renault F1 has scoffed at reports suggesting its former French carmaker parent is considering buying back the Enstone based team.

Amid the car sales crisis and economic downturn, and the damaging crashgate scandal, Renault SA sold a rumoured 85 per cent of the team that still bears its name to Luxembourg-based investment firm Genii Capital.

But Finland’s Turun Sanomat claimed the carmaker’s financial situation has dramatically improved to the point that it is interested in returning wholeheartedly to F1.

“Rumour mill in overdrive with some creative stories on the web,” Renault F1 said via its official Twitter account.

“For the record, Renault are very happy with the Genii partnership, great visibility and a good relationship. No plans to change,” added RF1paddockpass.

Renault also dismissed rumours that Felipe Massa could be headed to Renault next year, with Robert Kubica linked once again to Ferrari.

“Has anybody seen Robert and Felipe standing next to each other? I’m not sure they’d fit in each other’s seats if they swapped,” wrote the team’s Twitter author.

French carmaker Renault SA is reportedly considering buying back a majority stake in the formula one team that bears its name.

Amid the car sales crisis and economic downturn, and the damaging crashgate scandal, Renault sold a rumoured 85 per cent of the Enstone based team last year to Luxembourg-based investment firm Genii Capital.

With its new owners, Renault F1 has fared better than expected in 2010, culminating in Robert Kubica’s strong performance and third podium of the season so far at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend.

Finland’s Turun Sanomat claims that Renault SA’s financial situation has dramatically improved to the point that the carmaker is interested in returning wholeheartedly to F1.

The rumour ties in with ongoing speculation, also once again alluded to at Spa by new team boss Eric Boullier, that Kimi Raikkonen could return to formula one next year with Renault.

Renault’s formula one team has rubbished rumours suggesting the pacesetting Red Bull Racing is set to switch engine suppliers for 2011.

The rumour has already been denied by Force India, who were apparently to the be the recipient of the Renault power plant next year while Red Bull moved to Mercedes.

Enstone based Renault is now majority owned by Genii Capital and essentially separate to the French carmaker, but team boss Eric Boullier nonetheless said those engine rumours are “nonsense”.

The rumours have also been played down by Mercedes, as well as McLaren, who have the contractual right to veto a Red Bull/Mercedes deal.

Meanwhile, Boullier told the La Libre newspaper that Belgian GP2 driver Jerome d’Ambrosio, already with a relationship with Renault, is likely to test the F1 car in Abu Dhabi in November.

It is also reported that d’Ambrosio could test another car – possibly the Virgin – at the young driver test.

“He has shown lately that he deserves it.  Let’s say it is a good option,” said Boullier, also admitting that Czech driver Jan Charouz is a contender for the young driver test.

The team’s French boss also indicated that changes will be made to Renault’s young driver programme for 2011.

“It will continue but in another form.  We are considering an academy, a bit like Ferrari’s, with young drivers able to test a (2009 F1 car) R29,” said Boullier.