dren wrote:A lot of the top leaders at the Enstone team fled when Lotus was having money issues. The infastructure is still there, though. I'd like to see Renault return to Enstone, though. They'd have to do some hiring.
no way in life. Lotus parted ways with Renault and is now a Mercedes customer. I don't know if they could benefit from a year of Mercedes experience - in sharing intel - but so far, didn't do Mclaren-Honda any good. Meanwhile, I recall Lotus still owed money to Renault 'recently' [take that with a year], so i don't know if all the wages have been sorted. The financial situation and position of Enstone team is fragile and unstable. Pastor Maldonado is all the proof you need for that, and there has been an exodus of key personel before.
It takes time to repack and find or teach personel to get back on the right road. Lotus seems to be in a better position, but the fact is, that is due to the engine and could blossom over the possible shortcomings of the actual car. With a renault in the back, that car would have been way worse, despite it doesnt get much worse than having both cars not make it through a couple of laps.
Renault will have zero interest in enstone, especially because they're probably preferring a 'fresh start'. The Toro Rosso team is a sound, stable and financially healthy team thanks to the RedBull backing. That makes a lot of difference.
In any case i'm not sure the statement above means turning back to F1 as a works team. They want to improve the return of their investment in F1. that does NOT mean a return into F1 as a works team. It might be a possibility to return as a works team to achieve this result, but it simply does not say this.
Basically, it says: We're not happy at the moment with what we get back from F1 after putting so much money and effort into it. Offcourse the recent engine issues are part of this 'problem', but there's more. The statement first of all could be a good sign they're intending to fix their engine issues this time for real so they won't get negative effect anymore.
But above all; Renault hoped more 'exposure' with RedBull, but instead they promote Infinity. Not good for Renault.
Meanwhile, they serve Toro Rosso engines. But still, where's the 'renault promotion' in Toro rosso? close to none.
So, desiring more exposure in F1 is really what the headline is about.
A completely yellow ToroRosso [ironic as Rosso is red offcourse] with more prominet 'renault' on the car is one way to do that.
=D>