Home F1 Renault losing McLaren as F1 customer has marketing loss than financial

Renault losing McLaren as F1 customer has marketing loss than financial

20/10/2019

Cyril Abiteboul states that Renault losing McLaren from 2021 F1 season only has marketing value loss for the manufacturer than any financial.

With McLaren deciding to switch to Mercedes power from 2021, Renault is left with no customer teams in F1 – for now. While from outside it looks like a loss but Abiteboul states that it is more of a marketing loss than it causing any development hiccups.

“To start with next year, there is no impact because the engine for next year is done, it’s on the dyno already,” said Abiteboul. “It’s a long lead-time development, so nothing is going to impact what we are doing for 2020.

“It’s going to impact what we could be doing for 2021 on the basis that when you have multiple customers, in particular, the way that Renault is doing it, we always try to satisfy everyone to take on board all the comments in terms of installation.

“So that will be one less distraction. We will be able to focus on ourselves and just on ourselves. And that’s it.” He insisted that there are no monetary repercussions for Renault because of the deal and since everything comes at a cost for them.

“From an economic perspective, there is absolutely no impact and nothing in it, because we sell, more or less, at a cost,” Abiteboul added. “Due to the price cap limitation. So, frankly, it’s nothing and that it’s good news.

“Because it’s always satisfying to see your product being used by multiple teams, but in terms of what we need to achieve and deliver for Renault it has absolutely no impact.” It has to be seen how they produce a unit which can rival Mercedes and Ferrari.

The rumours about its future has been in question for sometime now but Renault has since pushed it away. In the team, the speculations around fresh F1 teams joining has been on as well and if that happens, they could partner with the French manufacturer.

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