Renault preps for shutdown - asks staff to work from home

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Renault will shut down its F1 operations at Enstone and Viry-Châtillon at the end of this week for a period of three weeks while part of its staff has already been working from home.

Renault's two-headed works management, with its chassis department located in the UK and its engine factory situated in France, means the team is governed by two different sets of national policies in terms of its health efforts regarding the coronavirus crisis.

However, Renault has implemented identical precautionary measures across both its entities.

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"Renault Sport Racing has taken appropriate decisions given the urgency of the current situation, while anticipating an extended shutdown followed by an intense season once the situation is under control," the company said in a statement released on Thursday.

"Our decisions must also be consistent with French and English government advice, the policy of Groupe Renault, but also that of Formula 1 authorities.

"The first of these decisions was to support McLaren’s decision not to participate in the Australian Grand Prix following a positive test in the paddock, then to quickly repatriate our track teams present in Melbourne.

"We subsequently asked them not to not return to Enstone or Viry-Châtillon for a minimum period of 14 days.

"Working from home has been widespread for all employees able to do so at Viry-Châtillon.

"Following measures taken by the French Government and implemented from Monday evening in France, Renault Sport Racing’s management has also decided to close Viry-Châtillon from the evening of Friday 20 March until Sunday 5 April inclusive."

©Renault

Formula 1's mandatory shutdown, which has now become a spring rather than a summer break for the teams, is governed by strict rules, with no professional communication allowed between team members.

"Working at home has been progressively implemented at Enstone and will be mandatory for all employees able to do so from Monday 23 March," Renault added.

"These initial measures taken at Enstone and Viry-Châtillon will be reviewed and adapted in view of the situation’s evolution.

"We will now enter into a phase of in-depth discussions with F1, the FIA and the other teams to define and put in place measures that our sport will have to take in these exceptional circumstances.

"In the face of the coming challenges, responsibility and solidarity must prevail to reduce the impact of this health crisis."

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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.