Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsRenault

Renault F1 management speculation ramping up

It's been an eventful summer for Renault, with a crumbling relationship with Red Bull on the back of its power unit troubles, and the trials and tribulations affecting Lotus and its imminent buy-out by the French manufacturer.

While Lotus' trucks have apparently made their way to the Monza paddock for this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, after bailiffs impounded the team's equipment for over a week in Belgium, news has filtered out of France regarding Renault's future organisation chart on the eve of an expected announcement of its return to F1 as a fully works team.

It is believed that Renault's F1 team efforts would be managed by ART Grand Prix co-owner, Cédric Vasseur, who would answer directly to Alain Prost.

Vasseur has successfully guided ART's operations alongside co-owner Nicolas Todt in GP2, GP3 and DTM amongst other categories. His company, Spark, is also the manufacturer of the cars supplied to the Formula E series.

Vasseur's proven managerial capabilities and impressive track record brought him under consideration by the Renault board and the French manufacturer's adviser and Ambassador Alain Prost.

It is speculated that the former quadruple World Champion, who has been granted shares in the new team entity, will be appointed as a non-executive president of the new Renault F1 team, a role similar to the function assumed by Niki Lauda at Mercedes F1, while team principal duties would be handled by current Renault F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul.

Click here for Chris Medland's Italian Grand Prix preview and bold podium prediction.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.