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Renault's power deficit? It's Briatore's fault, says Abiteboul

Renault Sport F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul says the manufacturer's current power deficit to Mercedes can be traced back to a decision taken by Flavio Briatore over ten years ago!

Since the advent of the V6 turbo hybrid era in Formula 1, we've heard a number of explanations from Renault about the performance and reliability shortfall of its power unit compared to Mercedes or Ferrari.

In the past, the French manufacturer has invoked driveability issues, a far too aggressive approach or the opposite, inventory shortfalls with regard to crucial components and various engineering difficulties.

But apparently the main culprit for Renault's relative deficit is the man who was in charge of the team a decade ago, and one ill-inspired decision he took back then.

"Viry-Châtillon is a team which needs to be rebuilt and where everyone needs to learn to work together once again," Abiteboul told Auto-Hebdo.

"Today, we continue to pay the price for Flavio Briatore's decision back in 2007 to fire hundreds of people when it was decided to freeze engine development.

"It was a withdrawal from F1 while Mercedes maintained its activities, acquired Ilmor and invested in the future with several road-going projects which prefigured what would happen in F1.

Abiteboul therefore sees two opposite cases that explain the current difference between Renault and Mercedes' respective state of affairs.

"Since I've taken charge (in 2014), I've recruited about a hundred people at Viry-Châtillon," says the Frenchman.

"The structure has obviously been modified, with a redistribution of responsibilities. People now need to work together, and understand each other without words."

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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.

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