Are The Drivings Seats Safe At Renault?
- Dec 6, 2015
- 2 min read
Finally; on Friday it was made official that Renault completed the long awaited purchase of the Enstone based outfit. Once again the French Manufacturer will make a return to Formula One as a full works team.
Prior to Renault's purchasing of the team it was no secret Lotus were struggling financially. After suffering lockouts from motorhomes and barely managed to develop the E23 car. They managed to keep the racing team afloat despite these issues. Even Bernie Ecclestone himself helped the team with wages and hospitality efforts during some race weekends.
Recently; in unexpected news it appears that both drivers in Jolyon Palmer and Pastor Maldoando who are signed for Enstone based team could be in doubt after comments made by Renault boss Carlos Ghosn.
After being asked by French media outlet L'Equipe if there would be a French driver representing the team next year, he answered. "We will wait a few weeks. I refer to a meeting in January 2016, when we will explain the organisation, goals, strategy and we will talk about drivers and partners"
At the Singapore Grand Prix weekend it was announced that Pastor Maldonado would be driving in 2016 with the team after his main sponsor; the Venezuelan oil compant PDVSA paid up front for his seat to one help keep the team afloat and Pastor driving. But now with Renault back as works team and can afford to survive without the millions Maldonado brings; Will they decide to honour his contract?
Jolyon Palmer who was most recently announced as a Enstone driver also brings some money to the team paying for 13 FP1 sessions in 2015 after securing the GP2 title in 2014. This is all despite apprently Jolyon's appointment being already Renault.
Could we still yet see a French driver on the grid?
Could Jean-Eric-Vergne be made avaliable from Formula E after being let go from Toro Rosso at the end of 2014. Or could newly-crowned GP3 champion Esteban Ocon get a look in with the French marque?
This is certainly a story thats certainly going to rumble on as Renault will look to return with the strongest possible line-up.
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