Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul says “different ambitions” led to the decision to split with McLaren after 2020.
The two teams will end their partnership which only began at the start of 2018 with the British team reuniting with Mercedes in a four-year deal announced on Saturday.
McLaren made the switch to Renault as part of a deal with Toro Rosso in 2017, which saw them end their unhappy relationship with Honda while ensuring the Japanese supplier remained in Formula 1.
And in his comments on the split, Abiteboul began by highlighting the progress they have made.
“Since our partnership began, McLaren has gone from ninth to fourth position in the Constructors’ Championship,” he said.
“We can, therefore, consider this a very successful relationship.
“However, while looking beyond the terms of the current contract, which concludes at the end of 2020, it was apparent that Renault and McLaren have different ambitions for the future,” Abiteboul continued.
“Each of the different elements of this decision have been carefully evaluated over the past few weeks.
“2021 will be a crucial season for all teams and it is important for us to have a precise and clear view of the strengths and ambitions of our competitors going forward.
“This decision is in line with Renault’s vision to become a works’ team, with a goal to return to the front.”
What is perplexing is both McLaren and Renault both hope to capitalise on the new 2021 regulations to once again challenge for victories and even championships in F1, so their ambitions are the same from that point of view.
More likely is the French manufacturer wanted to impose restrictions on an engine deal which favoured their works team and McLaren wouldn’t accept that.
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At the same time though, they’re entering a similar partnership with Mercedes, unless of course, the German brand is pulling out their works team…
“The relationship [with McLaren] is pretty strong because of these days,” motorsport boss Toto Wolff said, referring to the 19-year partnership between 1995-2014.
“But for us, it was important to make clear that there is a works team today, and this is a customer power unit relationship, and not the start of a works deal and us not being there any more.
“As it stands, we are keen on understanding how Formula 1 goes forward, how it develops, and continuing preferably as a works team.”