Renault returns as a team in 2016

AUTOhebdo has been announcing it for several weeks. The president of Renault Carlos Ghosn formalized this Thursday the return of the brand to Losange as a full-fledged team in the World Championship of F1 as of 2016.

A commitment that will go well through the takeover of Lotus F1 Team, the main contracts for this operation having been signed today. The end of a long wait since signing a letter of intent with Gravity Motorsports, a subsidiary of Genji Capital last September.

“Renault had two options: return to 100% or exit completely, explains Carlos Ghosn. After detailed analysis, I made my decision: Renault will be present in Formula 1 from 2016. The latest information obtained from the main players in F1 allows us to look forward with confidence to this new challenge. Our ambition is to win even if reasonably it will take time. »

Present for forty years in F1, with two Manufacturers' titles in 2005 and 2006 (with Fernando Alonso as headliner) Renault had confined itself in recent seasons to the role of engine manufacturer, winning four consecutive titles with Red Bull Racing between 2010 and 2013, before suffering since the arrival of the new V6 turbo/hybrid Power Units.

No details were given on the organization chart of the future team or potential sponsors. Only drivers Pastor Maldonado and Jolyon Palmer have already been confirmed earlier in the year. Details are expected in January.