Engine rules, Renault & politics

[Scuffers]

reading this:

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns23287.html

you get the impression that Toad is trying to pressurise the other tems to accept the (stupid) 4pot engine rules.

It would be a shame to see Renault disappear, but I struggle to understand from their perspective how developing a whole new engine can be cheaper than keeping the ones they have? (and remember they have customers out there running their engines).

[Fire99]

Well Todt doesn't appear to be the paragon of virtue, at present.

Saying that, if Renault leaves, it will resolve the Lotus issue. One Lotus or Loti (for both cars) will no doubt leave the building.

[llewop]

Scuffers said:

It would be a shame to see Renault disappear, but I struggle to understand from their perspective how developing a whole new engine can be cheaper than keeping the ones they have? (and remember they have customers out there running their engines).

Cost might not be the only factor:

How many V8s does Renault make for road cars...
How many turbo 4's do they make....



The same issue in reverse would be why Ferrari don't want to change!

[Fire99]

llewop said:

Cost might not be the only factor:

How many V8s does Renault make for road cars...

However, since Lotus trying to muscle in on the act, won't any of their new range of 'super'cars have a V8 under the lid?

[llewop]

Fire99 said:

However, since Lotus trying to muscle in on the act, won't any of their new range of 'super'cars have a V8 under the lid?

Isn't that just the Renault F1 team, rather than Renault F1 engines?

I could be wrong, but was under the impression that the engine supply was seperate from the team and not involved in the sale to Genii/Lotus etc

[Fire99]

llewop said:

Isn't that just the Renault F1 team, rather than Renault F1 engines?

I could be wrong, but was under the impression that the engine supply was seperate from the team and not involved in the sale to Genii/Lotus etc

ahhhh. I see the point. I forgot about all the Renault engines up and down the grid.

[Scuffers]

Fire99 said:

llewop said:

Isn't that just the Renault F1 team, rather than Renault F1 engines?

I could be wrong, but was under the impression that the engine supply was seperate from the team and not involved in the sale to Genii/Lotus etc

ahhhh. I see the point. I forgot about all the Renault engines up and down the grid.

Not sure if the article is talking about Renault cars or Renault F1 though?
Also who currently owns the F1 engine bit?

[Richard-G]

Fire99 said:

llewop said:

Isn't that just the Renault F1 team, rather than Renault F1 engines?

I could be wrong, but was under the impression that the engine supply was seperate from the team and not involved in the sale to Genii/Lotus etc

ahhhh. I see the point. I forgot about all the Renault engines up and down the grid.

all they have to do with all of this is just say, ok 1.6 is yer capacity (i would have made it even smaller, say 1.2) you can have ANY config you want, V6, flat 4, V8, V4, S4. It really shouldnt be THIS complicated.

[Gillet]

Although the F1 and road cars are different companies there is a marketing connection, and the closer to the road cars the better for both parties as Renault road cars will put in more money if it helps them develop new technology and sell their products, and again for Renault F1 it gives them an excuse to ask for more money from the other Renault.

Probably a bit obvious that bit, but to be honest I think this might just be a way of Renault exiting F1, either giving themselves an excuse to get out and sell to Lotus, or of just becoming an engine supplier, where they'll get great marketing benefits if they're using 1.4turbos.

[Scuffers]

Gillet said:

Although the F1 and road cars are different companies there is a marketing connection, and the closer to the road cars the better for both parties as Renault road cars will put in more money if it helps them develop new technology and sell their products, and again for Renault F1 it gives them an excuse to ask for more money from the other Renault.

I guess?

although I can see this being something Renault Cars is more interested in than the F1 team per say.

Gillet said:

Probably a bit obvious that bit, but to be honest I think this might just be a way of Renault exiting F1, either giving themselves an excuse to get out and sell to Lotus, or of just becoming an engine supplier, where they'll get great marketing benefits if they're using 1.4turbos.

LOL!

Can't see Group Lotus coming up with that kind of cash at the moment? (also, the name issue will become a problem financially...)