GPWizard F1 Forum
F1 News & Discussions => F1 Teams => Topic started by: Scott on March 07, 2015, 01:33:18 PM
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Seems to be some buzz about Renault perhaps buying into a team. They don't see the marketing exercise of only producing engines to be paying off. Well, I suspect there are a few teams on the grid for sale at bargain basement prices, so what are you waiting for?
From GMM
Renault is now openly contemplating a return to full works status in formula one.
After running a works team until 2010, the French carmaker remained on the grid only as a supplier, helping Red Bull to win multiple titles.
But officials are now admitting a better marketing strategy for the future might be to once again buy into a team.
Alain Prost, an ambassador of Renault's F1 project, admitted: "A company like Renault is always analysing what is the best strategy, especially when you're considering a return of investment on something like formula one.
"But I cannot answer whether the time is right or not," the four time world champion, referring to the rumours Renault is thinking about buying a team, told the Spanish daily Marca.
Indeed, Renault's F1 chief Cyril Abiteboul insists there have been no decisions made about a change of strategy for the marque.
"We are pleased to be engine supplier," he told RMC Sport. "Our priority is to make Red Bull world champion again."
However, Red Bull appears unhappy with the direction of Renault's turbo V6 project while the carmaker itself is concerned the energy drink maker attracts the majority of the marketing visibility.
"Taking over a team is not excluded, but it's not decided either," Abiteboul admitted.
"This must be a part of a long term strategy. We must think about the sporting strategy that works best for Renault. We will be attentive to everything, including the development of the sport and its finances," added Abiteboul.
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I'm sure it was a Renault corporate decision to plaster the Infiniti brand on the sidepods instead of Renault.
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I guess my question would be, are they likely to take over a team, or start from "scratch" with a new team under their brand?
If they were to buy a team, would it be Lotus, or someone else?
Red Bull certainly wouldn't sell out to them.
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Red Bull has openly had STR on the block for years. I think Dieter would be pleased to get rid of his money gobbling second team. But I think Lotus would be the obvious choice since they have been so closely linked for so long.
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Sounds pretty non-committal to me. The option sounds to be on the table but nobody's likely to vote on it any time soon. We will see what happens.