French car manufacturing company Renault has completed the takeover of the Lotus Formula 1 team. This means that Renault will make their return to Formula 1 as a constructor in 2016. The French company have claimed four titles in Formula 1, two with Michael Schumacher and team Benetton in 1994 and 1995 and another two with Fernando Alonso and team Renault in 2005 and 2006.
Renault sold their team to investment group Genii Capital at the end of 2009, quitting Formula 1 as a constructor. However, they remained in the competition by supplying engines to various teams. The most successful partnership was with team Red Bull, winning four driver titles and four constructor titles as well. Their relationship with team Red Bull has gone sour though so the French company decided to have their won team again. Renault first entered Formula 1 back in 1977 with a car driven by Jean-Pierre Jabouille.
Renault's deal with Lotus had been in doubt due to a dispute over prize money with Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, but the two parties have reached an agreement and the French car giant will stay in Formula 1 at least until 2024. Rookie driver Jolyon Palmer will have a seat at Renault next season, along with more experienced Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado. Both drivers had contracts with Lotus before the takeover. Frenchman Frederic Vasseur will most likely be the team principal after having led the ART team to success in GP2.
Mercedes are the favourites to win the Constructors Championship next season, they are 2/9 at Bet365 to retain the title.
milo?.sekuli?
8 years ago
Unexpectedly Renault was first to unveil its new RS16 car, painted in black-and-yellow livery, that will mark its return to Formula 1 as a works team in 2016. The team however hinted this could change before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. So would it be more yellow livery lets wait and see. I hope so, because...
Unexpectedly Renault was first to unveil its new RS16 car, painted in black-and-yellow livery, that will mark its return to Formula 1 as a works team in 2016. The team however hinted this could change before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. So would it be more yellow livery lets wait and see. I hope so, because its going to be too much black cars on the grid, Mclaren will stick to black livery, and also Haas is expected to be silver/black.
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Shumar4life
8 years ago
I believe that Renault can improve Formula 1, because they have lot of experience. They had team couple of years ago, and in next season they are coming back, fully prepared. Lothus didn't manage to find themselves in Formula 1, and this was one bad business decision for them. I believe that Formula 1 will be better next...
I believe that Renault can improve Formula 1, because they have lot of experience. They had team couple of years ago, and in next season they are coming back, fully prepared. Lothus didn't manage to find themselves in Formula 1, and this was one bad business decision for them. I believe that Formula 1 will be better next season with Renault
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sharpe
8 years ago
Many of the world leading car manufacturing companies going in and out from Formula 1 so this not a surprising news although Renault was never completely out of the Formula 1 even without their own team in the last years. Renault is is one of the most successful companies in Formula 1 over the last two decades so I'm...
Many of the world leading car manufacturing companies going in and out from Formula 1 so this not a surprising news although Renault was never completely out of the Formula 1 even without their own team in the last years. Renault is is one of the most successful companies in Formula 1 over the last two decades so I'm sure thy will build a very competitive team once again, although we can't expect serious results in their first year back I think.
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