Cyril Abiteboul is sure Renault will commit to Formula 1 for the “long-term” when a commercial deal is offered.
The future of the French manufacturer has been uncertain after a review of their project which incorporates the F1 team was initiated last October.
Add to that Renault would have no external links to worry about if the company did indeed pull the plug, with current engine customer McLaren switching to Mercedes next season.
But as a permanent change is set to be made at the top, with former Seat CEO Luca de Meo the full-time successor to Carlos Ghosn, it is the relationship with the interim chief which has Abiteboul optimistic.
“I have every reason to believe that in principle, we are in F1 for the long term,” he told Reuters.
“The single most important piece of information is the fact that Clotilde Delbos will remain as deputy CEO. [This means] I know where we are, I know where Clotilde is.
“It means that there will be a continuity of the governance, a continuity also of the decisions and everything we are discussing to date with Mrs Delbos will be valid even once Luca de Meo has arrived.”
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The main appetizer for Renault to continue their works operation is the introduction of new rules and a budget gap from 2021, something that they hope will allow them to fight at the front of the grid again.
And while the cost of F1 is still something the corporate bosses have to consider, Abiteboul expects to sign the new Concorde Agreement when ongoing talks conclude.
“I have right now all the reasons to believe Renault will execute that contract as soon as its ready,” he declared.
“Frankly if you look at Formula 1 from a financial perspective, from a figures perspective, it’s a cost but also an asset and an investment.
“[And under the new commercial rights deal,] we will get a major improvement of our terms,” Abiteboul concluded.