Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul says he is optimistic that the manufacturer will remain in Formula 1 post-2020, amid the impending start of a full review of the company.
Renault issued a profit warning earlier this month and on Friday released its Q3 2019 results, posting a dip in sales and revenues.
It comes in the wake of its CEO Thierry Bollore – who replaced the beleaguered Carlos Ghosn – being ousted, with Clotilde Delbos appointed on an interim basis.
During Renault’s conference call on Friday Delbos confirmed that all aspects of the entire Renault group will be reviewed, which includes its Formula 1 activities.
“I can’t tell you that, until that process is done, I can’t say,” said Abiteboul on whether Renault remains committed to the championship. “It has to be a process. I’m sorry I don’t have any confirmation to make further than what I have done already. Let’s follow the process.
“But let’s be optimistic. If everything is better than what we have now I don’t see why we would get to a different position to the one we made in 2015.
“Yes, the market has changed and the sporting results are what they are. The most important thing is can we project ourselves with confidence in that period of time with reasonable results, at a reasonable cost.
“In my opinion, what we will get out of 2021 measures, we’re going in the right direction to answer these questions positively.”
Abiteboul stressed that Delbos “was sitting on the committee that has made all the decisions relative to the involvement in F1, including the return as a full team,” back when she held the role of Chief Financial Officer.
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