Renault F1 Team is torn between two buyers

renault_R28

Renault looks likely to end its time as a full fledged constructor in Formula 1 and is set to sell its F1 operations, but is torn between two buyers – UK-based Prodrive and Luxembourg investment fund Genii Capital, according to Autosport. There is a possibility that the Renault name will still be on the grid next season, but with new people calling the shots.

The report says that Genii Capital’s plan is to take financial control of the team, but for it to remain Renault for at least another two years. Company head Gerard Lopez has agreed to incorporate the Renault Driver Development programme into his Gravity Sports Management company if he takes over the team. France’s Le Parisien suggests that Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn favours this route, which also has the blessing of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

On the other side of the coin, it is believed that the current Renault F1 team management favours Prodrive’s bid. Prodrive is run by David Richards (also the chairman of Aston Martin), whose vast experience of running F1 teams (BAR and Benetton) will be an asset, and his involvement would allow Renault to fully withdraw its name from the sport.

The next season in F1 will see a vastly changed paddock with so many exits and entries. Are you looking forward to it?

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • mystvearn on Dec 06, 2009 at 10:55 am

    Cannot have both?

    Renault-Prodrive-Genii F1

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • f1 mania on Dec 06, 2009 at 10:56 am

    yes.. im looking forward to it.Maybe in the future we'll have aston martin rebranded from prodrive.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • tiketbas on Dec 06, 2009 at 6:53 pm

    I think it may be one of the best thing that happened to F1. New teams will revive the competitive spirit that was missing during the dominant years of Ferrari and McLaren. I do look forward for it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Rovert on Dec 07, 2009 at 7:13 am

    It's hard to throw my support behind a team who doesn't make cars. Period.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • patiniox on Dec 07, 2009 at 10:04 am

    of coz la look forward.. 1Malaysia wat.. Malaysia Boleh!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • fique D on Dec 07, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    i miss the old f1 …. less drama…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • scanzew on Dec 07, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    i hate the old f1….too boring….we like more drama

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ferruccio on Dec 07, 2009 at 5:53 pm

    Rovert said,

    December 6, 2009 @ 11:13 pm

    It’s hard to throw my support behind a team who doesn’t make cars. Period.

    __________________________________________________________________________

    F1's history is filled with teams that do not make cars. McLaren won the championship several times before venturing into building the Mclaren F1 roadcar.

    Williams won the championship several times and still don't make road cars.

    Same with Tyrrel, Benetton etc etc…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Hell yeah~

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  • syarp on Dec 08, 2009 at 12:37 am

    renault??? i don't like renault f1 team since they win the world champion in 2005…..with they 'anak emas' alonso……..

    red bull/s.rosso/brawn gp/honda f1 team…………the best!!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ferruccio on Dec 08, 2009 at 11:06 am

    Like it or not, Renault is one of the best engine providers to F1 teams in modern F1 history

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • syarp_brawn on Dec 08, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    best cheater in modern f1……… singapore 2008

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ferruccio on Dec 09, 2009 at 1:45 am

    Unfortunately thats how it is. A bunch of people racing on behalf of Renault get caught for cheating (all the F1 teams are guilty of testing the rules at some point) and all the good things that Renault stand for in F1 from the late 70s goes down the drain. Renault supplied Williams the best F1 engines in the early 90s.

    The same bunch of people behind crashgate were also behind the refuel rig and launch control controversy/cheating of 1994. They were still the Benetton team then with Schumacher as their driver. The refuel rig became the focal point when Jos Verstappen and the pit crew was engulfed in flames during a pit stop at Hockenheim.

    No wonder Renault corporate management did not contest and agreed to the swift removal of Briatore and Symonds. It unfairly tarnished the manufacturers good name.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ford_GT on Dec 09, 2009 at 8:24 am

    Glad the old drama is over, period. Au revoir Frenchie.

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