Renault to decide F1 future

It has been an ongoing saga over the last 18 months, the once fruitful relationship between Red Bull and Renault souring.

The change to the V6 era has left Renault behind from once dominating the sport, to becoming the also-ran, the third of four powertrains in F1. Lotus moved to Mercedes engines for 2015 on the back of their worst season for years, which wasn’t helped by ongoing financial problems which saw Pastor Maldonado bring his PDVSA backing with him from Williams who had moved to the Mercedes engine a year earlier.

Looking at things from the outside it looks like Renault have three options. A buyout of Lotus, a team which they sold to the current ownership after the infamous Crashgate ruined their reputation. A complete pull out of the sport, which would leave both Red Bulls looking for an alternative engine supplier. Or the most unlikely option being a continuation of the current partnership.

The buyout of Lotus is a serious option, although there are many questions around the deal which have yet to be confirmed. Firstly, they have just signed a long term deal with Mercedes for an engine supply. You would think that as part of a severance plan that Red Bull might be able to acquire that contract, or at least gain that engine supply. Toro Rosso would be different though, it would be unlikely they would get the Mercedes engine unless something dramatic happened.

Adam Cooper has also suggested that the current tender could be linked to Renault, hence why it has been opened for longer and why it for as early as next season. If Renault do lodge a new entry it would mean them buying the assets of the team including the Enstone factory and a wipe out of debt currently saddling the Lotus team. The situation has been worse still over the last few weeks, firstly with a wind up petition on the team, followed by Pirelli not giving the team tyres until just before FP1 on Friday in Hungary again for non-payment.

A complete pull out is also an option, but you would have to say an unlikely one. By the looks to things Renault wants to stay in F1 but wants more exposure, something they are not getting in their tie-up with Red Bull who have heavy sponsorship from affiliate Infiniti anyway. A move away from the World Series by Renault could also mean a stay in F1, pulling more resources into their effort.

Staying with Red Bull looks not to be an option, even if they continued to supply them into 2016 – the third year for the V6 engines. That relationship looks to have gone beyond repair and Red Bull are already looking for alternatives.

So would we like a return for Renault in F1, and would a Red Bull Mercedes be capable of winning world championships again? We should know more by the end of the week.

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