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Renault: "We won't sign big name drivers"

  • Published on 18 Jun 2018 09:58
  • 6
  • By: Danny Sosef

Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn says the French manufacturer intends to win in Formula One without the biggest budget. Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul recently acknowledged that the Enstone team needs more money to take on the might of Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull.

Currently, the target is to gradually catch up over the next season or two, but Ghosn said he thinks it will be possible to beat the top teams without "hundreds of millions of euros". "We are preparing for our return to the top of the podium by 2020. The goal is to win under responsible economic conditions."

There are rumours Renault is trying to woo Adrian Newey, but another fast-track to success could be buying a driver like Sebastian Vettel.

"Of course, if there were no budget, we would hire the best drivers in the world," Ghosn said. "But we're not going to be the richest team.  We have proven in the past that we can win while not being the ones who spend the most money or have the best drivers."

He indicated he is happy with Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz, but said Renault may also be looking for a driver "who draws attention to our main markets".

"Therefore a French driver would be fine, a Russian driver would be fine, a Chinese driver would extraordinary because we would have the attention of 1.3 billion consumers. But you have to find the driver to win so it's always a difficult equation," Ghosn added.

F1 News Sebastian Vettel Renault Ferrari Mercedes

Replies (6)

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  • Ramshoek2

    Posts: 1,579

    "We have proven in the past that we can win while not being the ones who spend the most money or have the best drivers."

    ...or have the best drivers ?!?!?!

    • + 1
    • Jun 18 2018 - 10:33
    • Bhurt

      Posts: 320

      Haha, well deserved shots fired at Alonso there. I approve.

      • + 0
      • Jun 18 2018 - 17:37
  • calle.itw

    Posts: 8,527

    Well, for you Renault-Alonso fans I wouldnt give up just yet. The switch is pretty unlikely IMO, but Ghosn isnt exactly the opposite of Abiteboul. Remember when Ghosn said there was no way Renault would rejoin F1 as a works team, and the same year they decided to rejoin F1 as a works team?

    • + 0
    • Jun 18 2018 - 10:34
    • LightIsRight

      Posts: 113

      Alonso fans must give up now! He has Le Mans and only needs Indy 500. Do you really thing he needs an F1 drive any more? If he can stick a full season in Indy and endurance championship and win the championships in both then he is undisputed. Triple crown will pale in comparison.

      • + 1
      • Jun 18 2018 - 10:47
    • calle.itw

      Posts: 8,527

      Must? Certainly not, and its not quite over until the fat lady starts to sing, but the likelihood is almost nil. If he stays he might aswell stay at McLaren. And the very reason he is chasing Le Mans and Indy is to get that triple crown, mind. But I think he'll be happier somewhere else now, its probably time for both Alonso and Kimi to leave F1 sadly.

      • + 0
      • Jun 18 2018 - 17:55
  • mcbhargav

    Posts: 1,332

    may be Romain has hope for the future in 2019 after all.

    • + 0
    • Jun 18 2018 - 16:46

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