F1 Renault’s 25 Percent Solution
After Renault’s non-decision during a recent “emergency” meeting the company is doing what most have expected all along, Renault has sold a 75 percent stake in the team to the Genii Capital company, led by businessman Gerard Lopez, with the two companies operating the team which will continue to carry the Renault name.
Thus, The 25 Percent Solution.
At least a solution for 2010, after 2010 I’d guess all bets are off and as many have surmised they will become a supplier of engines only.
To no one’s surprise Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has spoken of his delight - giddy is a better description I suspect - that his team will continue to use Renault engines. There will be no Christmas shopping for a lump of exotic metal to stick in the back of the Red Bull machines - for 2010.
Horner said: “The 2009 season has been Red Bull Racing’s finest season to date. In one year, we’ve achieved six wins and four one-two finishes, none of which would have been possible without the excellent support and assistance we have received from our partners at Renault.”
“We are extremely happy with the way they work with us and are looking forward to continuing our fruitful partnership with Renault in 2010.”
Considering Red Bull had its finest season with six victories in the capable hands of drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber it’s no surprise Horner is happy as a clam in marinara sauce.
On the other hand what of former BMW driver Robert Kubica, with the Polish driver having already signed a deal to drive for Renault?
Based on his manager Daniele Morelli’s statement on the buyout, “It’s a positive reaction but we have asked for more information,” and that it’s “not automatic” that Kubica would race for the team there seems to place some doubt on his future. Or not.
My exit question is: Does this mean Jacques Villeneuve will be in the mix at Renault for 2010?
Villeneuve gave a recent “exclusive” interview flatly stating he wasn’t in any way part of Lotus F1 plans that would indicate he may be available for a return to the team where he had a token appearance on 2004.
Villeneuve returned to Formula One, driving the final three Grands Prix of 2004 for Renault team replacing Jarno Trulli, team boss Flavio Briatore felt Villeneuve would be worth a gamble.
It wasn’t, Villeneuve failed to score a single point, unable to finish any of his races on the lead lap.
P.S. This buyout and return of Renault to the F1 grid means another attempt by Prodrive to join F1, after the company was reportedly Genii Capital’s major competition to acquire the team, has come to nothing.
If Kubica can get out of his contract, & there is a manufacturer clause, he will be able to balance his option with Merc & the new Renault. Good luck to him, he deserves a good car under him.
“My exit question is: Does this mean Jacques Villeneuve will be in the mix at Renault for 2010?”
Marc have you gotten into the Xmas liquor a little earlier than usual?
JV! Back in F1??? Not a chance.
No liquor, but I’m not betting against JV being back.
Schumy will join Mercedes, Kubica is stuck with Renault unless he wants to drive for one of the new teams. Hey, I heard USF1 still has a seat open! What a step up that would be.
Sorry, Xmas is so close and I’m such a sarcastic bee-atch!
Did you see Di Montezemolo’s comment on Schumie? He thought it was a Schumie Twin.
“I thought there must be someone else who sounded like him. The real Michael Schumacher is a Ferrari consultant who confirmed to me that he will finish his career with Ferrari. The other one is also German, he has the same name, same age, 40 or 41, but this one has decided to do a new career.”
Yeah, I did. I thought it was a humorous and graceful way of acknowledging Schumy’s exit from Ferrari. As is his tendency, he could have been very nasty.
It appears that Schui returing to F1 is 90% there. I wonder what the stumbling block is, wages or length of contract.
And Marc, if JV returns to F1 I will eat some serious crow.
Maybe Schui is still not certain about how his neck injury has recovered, it stopped him last year. If he does not go to Merc Kubica may jump ship, by all accounts he has a out clause at Renault dependent on their participation. A sale of 75% constitutes a withdrawl under the terms of his agreement.