Renault: “The departure of Williams makes our strategy clearer”

When one legendary association reforms, another disappears. While the announcement Honda's return with McLaren has awakened some very beautiful memories among fans of Formula 1, Williams et Renault, who had a string of successes together in the 90s, will separate at the end of the year. Indeed, the British team will source from Mercedes from next year. After only two seasons, the renewal of the partnership between the Grove empire and the French engine manufacturer comes to an end. “We would like to thank Williams for their warm welcome throughout our collaboration and we sincerely wish them the best for the future”, underlines Jean-Michel Jalinier, president of Renault Sport F1. “Two years ago, when we had just renewed our partnership, we were able to recreate the spirit of our legendary years, including a victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in 2012. We will continue to support Williams F1 Team throughout the years. throughout the 2013 season with the hope of concluding the second chapter of our common history with results that live up to its reputation. »

In the middle of a puzzle while Formula 1 is preparing to experience a technological revolution next year, with the transition from the V8 engine to the hybrid V6 Turbo 1.6L, Jean-Michel Jalinier specifies that this departure is a blessing in disguise. “We have stated on several occasions that we could provide, if necessary, up to 5 stables. However, with such a commitment, we would then have been at the limits of our technical and economic capabilities. Equip three, or even four, stables being ideal, Williams' departure regularizes the situation and makes our strategy clearer. We will announce our next partnership within a few days, and then the last phase before the end of June. We are extremely motivated by the challenge posed by the arrival of the 2014 engines,” he finishes. So far, only Toro Rosso and Reb Bull have formalized their contract with the diamond brand for next year. If it should not be long with Caterham, doubts still remain regarding Lotus.

To go further, find the interview with Jean-Michel Jalinier, president of Renault Sport F1, in this week’s AUTOhebdo n°1911, available on all newsstands and now in digital version.