Renault quits?
Renault has appeared to confirm that it does want to quit Formula One. The French manufacturer has faced unsettling rows between them and works team over who is responsible for their lack of performance.
Red Bull has blamed Renault for their lack of performance in very public rows. Within recent weeks their relationship has appeared to be heading for an messy divorce. Renaults CEO and Chairman Carlos Ghosn told the Frankfurt International Motor Show “We have already alerted the F1 authorities and told them don’t count on us as a provider of an engine. It’s over.”
He added “Unfortunately when we were winning championships the Renault name was never mentioned. It was the team that was winning.” Ghosn says when there are problems in a team you are the first to be pointed at.
Renault and Red Bull did have a deal until 2016 which has now appeared to have been ended. Red Bull will use a Ferrari engine. The announcement means a takeover of Lotus by Renault is now off after months of speculation.
Working on 2016
Claire Williams says her team is already working on development of the team’s 2016 car. Williams will be looking to take advantage of next year’s stability in the regulations.
Since the introduction of the V6’s and other changes in 2014 the team has consistently been running near the front. This season they currently sit third in the championship. Now the team has focused there attention on 2016 which according to her is the earliest the team has ever begun work on a new car.
She told Crash.net “We know we’ve got a really good platform in the car that we have and that we’ve developed over this period of technical regulations. It’s really important that we capitalise on the stability we have got in the regulations.”
Williams says this will not harm there development of their 2015 car saying upgrades will continue to be introduced to the end of the season.
McLaren or quitting – Button
Jenson Button says he will leave Formula One altogether if he does not stay at McLaren for 2016. McLaren are yet to decide whether Button will be retained next season.
Speaking to the BBC in two interviews Button said “If I’m in F1, it will be with this team. I have had some tough times here but I have a lot of respect for them and for Honda. This is the team for the future.”
McLaren have struggled to be competitive this season after the switched to Honda power units. Earlier this week Racing Director Eric Boullier said the team “intended” to keep Button but a final decision hasn’t been made. Button has ruled out a move to any other team.
He admitted that McLaren’s uncompetitiveness had made it a difficult year telling BBC World News “For everyone that’s working at Woking and (Honda’s base in) Sakura in Japan, it’s been a really tough season. But everyone’s stayed positive and got their heads down. We’re all focusing on improving.”
Button has been linked to joining the corporations Top Gear program after Jeremy Clarkston was dismissed in March.
Three back-to(o)-back much – Button
Also today Jenson Button says a plan for three back to back races in Asia next year would be “too much” for the Formula 1 teams.
The plan came after teams asked for the summer break to be returned to the normal three weeks instead of two which was the original proposal. Currently Singapore is planned for the 25th of September with Japan on October 2nd and Malaysia on the 9th.
Button said it’s easy for drivers, but it’s very different for the teams. He said “These guys spend so much time away from home, and it’s very difficult not only for their relationships, but also their families. With all the travel, the packing up and unpacking for those races it would be very tough.”
Grosjean made a decision
Romain Grosjean says he has made his decision on his future in Formula One. Rumours have linked the Frenchman to join Haas next season. But the links to Renault have ended after they announced plans to quit the sport.
Grosjean has the experience that the American team Haas is looking for to devlop the team. He said “The only thing I can tell you is I have made my decision, everything is clear in my head and I know what is going to happen in the future, but I can’t tell you anymore.”
