Ghosn: Renault remains involved in the team

Carlos Ghosn, Renault has seen a lot of news in recent weeks, notably with the extension of a contract with Red Bull, which is a continuation of what you are looking for?
Not only is there the extension of the contract with Red Bull but there is also the signing of a contract, as you know, with the team. Malaysian (currently called Lotus Racing but which could be renamed 1Malaysia Racing Team). All this goes in the direction of expanding our activities as an engine manufacturer. We still remain involved in the chassis, since the Renault team F1 Team continues to benefit from the Renault chassis. We therefore have a variable geometry participation. As part of RF1 Team, the engine and chassis; within the framework of Red Bull and the Malaysian group, only with the engine.

What can we say about the situation of the Renault team in the coming seasons in Formula 1?
What I can tell you is that Renault will be associated with this team, whatever happens: associated in the supply of engines and chassis, and the technology around the chassis. Behind this there may be financial agreements, marketing agreements based on our own interests. There may be developments but, for the moment, there is nothing. What I can tell you is that we are going to be, more and more, suppliers of technology to many teams involved in Formula 1.

What do you think of a possible change of name for the team?
Name changes are everywhere. The main thing is to keep the Renault name. As part of RF1 Team, yes, there may be other names associated. But it should be noted that, as part of Red Bull, you will now have Red Bull Renault! You may have the Renault name in a few more teams because we don't want to give the impression that we are exclusive to a team. We are in the process of developing our technology on several stables.

A year ago, you asked yourself the question of withdrawing from Formula 1. How do you judge what happened this year?
It?s true that there was a reflection at the top of the company which was ? should we stay in Formula 1? » It was at the time when all the manufacturers were out: Toyota was out, Honda was out, BMW was out. There were questions: “ should Renault get out of Formula 1? » We decided, which consisted of saying: “ we stay and we adapt to the new challenges of F1. » We said that we were going to stay as an engine manufacturer and in the framework of chassis development on a team. And we want to support the evolution of F1 towards more environmentally friendly engines. We believe that this is a challenge that is in line with that of Renault, which is taking a leading position on “zero emissions” and electric cars. So we have made a technological adaptation, a modernization of our presence in Formula 1. We are confident that this is a good position for the future.

Will Renault sell its Renault F1 Team stake?
I'm not going to give ?live? results of discussions which do not take place or which are not successful. Everything that concerns financial participation in this team or the other is tactical. We are not present in Formula 1 to own this or that team but we are in Formula 1 to promote the Renault name and promote Renault technology. We will do whatever is necessary to get it done, at the lowest cost and investment. We are not going to put more resources than necessary for this objective. So you can still have developments in terms of participation, “who does what” in terms of marketing? What seems important to us is to expand our role as an engine supplier and technology supplier.