Despite major financial difficulties which force it to initiate a substantial restructuring plan (elimination of 15,000 jobs including 4,600 in France), Renault has confirmed its commitment to Formula 1 for the coming seasons. “ The announcement of new regulations on spending limits is very good for us because we will have to invest less in this discipline than some of our competitors who spend a lot of money. So we are and remain in F1, "said Claudine Delbos, the group's acting general manager, on Friday.
»READ ALSO - Renault announces a" vital "plan to restore its finances
Good news for Renault F1 employees, even if the future will be written without their star driver Daniel Ricciardo who decided to leave the ship at the end of 2020 when his second season in the yellow and black racing car has not yet even start. After having made very big financial efforts to recruit the Australian (its annual salary would be around 25 M €), the Enstone and Viry-Châtillon team will not be able, given the economic situation of the parent company, allow crazy expenses to attract the future teammate of Esteban Ocon. Many names circulate to take the vacant seat including that of the Spanish Fernando Alonso. But the reunion should not be done at any cost according to Marco Andrea Zecchi.
“ Unions can ask why the company is laying off workers ”
Marco Andrea Zecchi“If you lay off people and spend a lot of money on Alonso, you risk creating a revolution. Unions may ask why the company is laying off workers , observes the former Ferrari team manager (1989-1992) interviewed by L'Equipe . But if during the management meeting, Renault presents its economy plan by insisting on the group's desire to relaunch and promote the brand, to produce electric models and the need to have a new ambassador in the person of Alonso , it may be easier to get accepted. " The irrepressible urgethe double world champion with the Rhombus (2005-2006) to obtain a new challenge in F1 at an advanced age (39 years in July) could facilitate negotiations to the advantage of Renault. Another solution is to promote a young house pilot (Christian Lundgaard, Guanyu Zhou). And at a lower cost.
Read also
- F1: green light for the Austrian Grand Prix in July
