The BBC’s Andrew Benson claims the Renault F1 team will remain in F1 in 2010.
The story claims Renault will keep a 25% stake in the team.
Renault F1 team saved claims BBC
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Keith Collantine
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Ned Flanders
10th December 2009, 20:42
It’s a bit of a non story for now. The only interesting detail is that Renault will retain 25% of the team, the rest was basically saying we can’t tell you anything yet, come back next week for the full story
Scribe
10th December 2009, 21:07
If prodrive got it than I wish them the very best of luck and a transformation into Aston Martin when ever they see fit.
If Lopez gets it I hope they crash an burn there car is complete crap and at least two of the new teams overhaul them by the end of the year.
Prisoner Monkeys
10th December 2009, 21:11
I hope not – it would potentially ruin Kubica’s career.
Lustigson
10th December 2009, 21:16
O, please, let it be Prodrive…
Dougie
10th December 2009, 21:28
Agree with the sentiment here…
Oh please god, please let it be Prodrive!!
…and, if its Lopez, may they crash and burn… metaphorically speaking of course ;)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
10th December 2009, 21:54
Is the sentiment here anti-Lopez or – er – pro-Prodrive?
Prisoner Monkeys
10th December 2009, 22:07
Sometimes, Keith, I think the only reason people want Prodrive to come in is because someone floated a series of mock-up liveries in Gulf colours and everyone fell in love with them.
Sush Meerkat
11th December 2009, 8:17
HAHA!!
You know i’m the one that tells the rubbish jokes around here right?.
Dougie
10th December 2009, 22:05
Well, speaking personally Keith, for me it is very much a case of both. Extremely Pro…Prodrive… especially Dave Richards, I’d love to see him back in the sport. But also, very Anti-Lopez… but that could be because he is competition for Dave Richards.
For me Lopez wins through throwing money at it and taking the team where exactly? and how long? Whereas Dave Richards will give an honest bid and will take the team to the top faster than anyone else, Kubica’s future is bright with Prodrive only.
All IMHO of course ;-)
Red Andy
10th December 2009, 23:34
I’m going to buck the trend here and suggest that I think (and hope) that it is Lopez and Gravity who have made the purchase, not Prodrive.
The BBC article states that Renault will retain a stake in the team and that they will continue to race as Renault, which is at odds with what we have heard about Richards’ ideas for the team (rebranding it Prodrive and moving his outfit to Enstone in place of the old Renault operation). Hence, I think that Gravity is more likely to have bought the team based on what we know.
Plus, Richards had his chance to get Prodrive on the grid and he blew it.
Hammad
11th December 2009, 6:53
Probably because the FIA didn’t like the fact that he wasn’t gonna use Cosworths. As far as I can tell, he’s way better than most of the new kids on the block.
Hammad
11th December 2009, 6:54
Oh and.. in my book at least, he kicked Villeneuve out, so that’s an extra plus point :P
wasiF1
11th December 2009, 1:35
Hope they have sold it to Prodrive,& happy Renault is not leaving F1.
Sush Meerkat
11th December 2009, 10:00
I’m with Red Andy on this one, Gravity is the way to go.
Prodrive will just constantly rebadge the cars, Renault to Prodrive to Aston Martin. And I can’t be bothered to explain to my friends why the team keeps changing.
VitaRedux
11th December 2009, 11:01
I’m working about 500 yds from ProDrive HQ and so a little biased. Still I get the feeling Ecclestone and Richards don’t see eye-to-eye and I expect for that reason Gravity have it.
Prisoner Monkeys
11th December 2009, 11:34
Ecclestone has no control over who Renault sell to. He can mediate the negotiations, but as a third party, I’m pretty sure he’d be in serious trouble (like legal trouble) if he attempted to influence the process.
VitaRedux
11th December 2009, 12:13
I can’t argue with what you say. But when has that stopped him. He can certainly make it more appealing for Renault to sell elsewhere.
Peter Rippon
11th December 2009, 12:12
Prisoner Monkeys, what planet are you on. Look back – Ecclestone is VERY involved in EVERY decision that is made and with Moseley’s puppet it will not change.
The fact is that Moseley knew he could not make Richards toe the line, so they shut him out but as a racer in the Frank Williams mode he is second to none. The speed with which he cut through the BAR crap and turned the team round speaks volumes. If they sell to Gravity that means two jokes on the grid both there for their Owners self promotion! However I agree if Renault are keeping 25% it looks like gravity!
Prisoner Monkeys
12th December 2009, 8:22
Earth. Influential as he is, Bernie can only do certain things in a negotiation. If he doesn’t and someone cries foul – espeically if it’s the loser – he can be up for some serious legal repercussions. And while he controls Formula One, he has zero influence in the courts. He can make it more appeaing for Renault to go one way or another, but he cannot actively sabotage Prodrive’s efforts because the decision is Renault’s to make. He can lobby all he wants, but if Renault want to sell to Prodrive, they will sell to Prodrive. Ecclestone cannot go ahead and penalise them for doing that; it would be against the law. Anti-competition and all that.