Paris (AFP)
After McLaren, Williams and Racing Point, a new F1 team, Renault, announced Friday short-time working measures on two sites to limit the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
In Viry-Châtillon in the Paris region, where the engine factory is located, the staff was placed on partial unemployment "for a period of 12 weeks which may be reduced or lengthened depending on the evolution of the situation," said the manufacturer. French.
In Enstone, England, where chassis are developed and built, Renault has decided to retroactively apply the job maintenance program set up by the British government. The vast majority of Enstone personnel, who have been on a total cessation of activity since April 1, will be at least until May 31.
In Great Britain, where seven or all of the stables (McLaren, Williams, Racing Point, Mercedes, Red Bull, Haas and Renault are based entirely or partially), the government allows companies to put their employees to partial unemployment by guaranteeing 80% of their salary up to a ceiling of 2,500 pounds per month (around 2,800 euros).
"We must use all the measures at our disposal to get through this prolonged period of uncertainty and inactivity as best we can, while protecting the whole team that we have built over the past four years", said the boss of the Renault team, Cyril Abiteboul.
In addition to certain stables, the promoter of F1, Formula One, has also resorted to short-time working and its leaders have accepted wage cuts.
These measures come after 9 of the 22 races planned for the F1 world championship have been canceled or postponed. The season should not start before the French Grand Prix on June 28.
© 2020 AFP