After five years of absence, Renault announced in 2016 its return to Formula 1 with an ambitious and detailed roadmap, typical of a double world champion. After the buyback of Lotus, the team promised to maintain a gradual evolution that would allow it to fight for the title in the 2020 World Cup. However, last Sunday, Daniel Ricciardo left the Austrian GP due to a failure in the cooling system and Esteban Ocon could only cross the finish line in eighth place. "We must focus on reliability," said Cyril Abiteboul , head of the team that awaits Fernando Alonso from 2021.

Last Wednesday, while its F1 division dismantled the gear at the Red Bull Ring, it was a very marked day for Renault. Luca de Meo finally took office as president and CEO of this motor giant, mired in a catastrophic crisis, with a 99% drop in profits in the last year.

So in the next three years, the Italian executive will carry out cuts, estimated at 2.1 billion euros and almost 15,000 employees, which also threaten his F1 team. According to data from last season, the French team has 710 workers at its Enstone factory and an annual budget of 196 million euros.

Without a single podium

The arrival of Alonso, the pilot who made them champions in 2005 and 2006, coincides with a very delicate moment for Abiteboul, author of a strategic plan that still does not meet his deadlines. "The place we held last year was not acceptable. We cannot stay that far from the positions above," said Alain Prost during the presentation of his car for the 2020 World Cup. The legendary four-time world champion, from his position as non-executive director , gave voice to general disillusionment.

The podium promise, encrypted for 2018, has yet to be fulfilled. And fifth place in the 2019 Constructors' World Cup was a step back from the previous season. Just a few meters from their garage, Andreas Seidl and Zak Brown are indeed bringing the McLaren restructuring to fruition.

Ricciardo's escape

To make matters worse, the crisis unleashed by the Covid-19, with the flight of sponsors and the drastic reduction in the prize fund, has forced Renault to several sacrifices. Firstly, the freeze in the development of its engines, the great pride of a brand that has already made Williams five times world champion and four more Red Bull. Secondly, the postponement until 2022 of its attack plan, based on the new FIA technical regulations. And it is in that year, precisely, where Alonso has set his sights.

The Asturian knows very well that he will not be able to fight for the victories in 2021. However, he is also aware that Renault is the only major project within his reach with true potential to take flight from 2022.

His unquestionable leadership will mean an oxygen balloon for Abiteboul, also hit by Ricciardo's hasty departure towards McLaren. The void of the Australian, with an annual salary of more than 20 million euros, must now be filled by a genius determined to continue dreaming of his third world crown.

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Know more

  • Fernando Alonso
  • Lotus
  • Daniel Ricciardo
  • Formula 1
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