Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsRenault

Renault takeover leaves Enstone 'buzzing'

Renault's return to F1 as a constructor has left members of the team at Enstone "buzzing", according to Cyril Abiteboul.

Following months of negotiations, Renault completed its takeover of the former Lotus team in December. Lotus had been struggling financially over the past two seasons, with the team downsizing and being unable to significantly develop its 2015 car.

Renault Sport Racing managing director Abiteboul says the confirmation of the takeover led to a clear change in atmosphere within the team.

"Within the Renault group people have naturally been very positive as it is an opportunity for the group to grow and to re-own the results of the past," Abiteboul said. "It also adds an extra sparkle to the brand as it tackles bigger challenges in its core business.

"At Enstone the atmosphere has been buzzing. When we visited the factory in November there was a lot of work, but the mood was muted. Now it’s like a light has gone back on – everyone is flat out, but very optimistic.

"At Viry it’s much the same, despite the huge challenge, there is now a direction. There’s a real drive on both sides of the operation to build for the future."

The new Renault RS16 is scheduled to make its debut on the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona on February 22.

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.