Renault demands more control of F1

It seems that Renault have started taking a more aggressive approach to Formula One, after the manufacturer's CEO Carlos Ghosn has declared that his team is demanding more revenue from the Formula One Management (FOM) group. This has been a long time debate between the competing teams and FOM boss Bernie Ecclestone.

With Renault at an undecisive stage regarding their long term place in F1, the revenue issue may make or break the deal.

Ghosn gave a strong speech at the French National Assembly earlier today, declaring: "We are the ones doing the show, who bring in the technology, who bring in the engines, who hire the drivers. And if we do the show, the revenues of Formula One must come back to us."

"Today we pay to be in Formula One; that is not normal," he added. "Intermediaries have made enough money with this. We want to take back control of Formula One."

At the same time, reports have emerged in the German press that Renault Sport, of which the F1 team is a division, has sent out letters to several of its suppliers to let them know that the team's future in Formula One is uncertain.

"The far-reaching changes to the technical and sporting regulations have the consequence that Renault Sport can no longer be certain of its future in Formula 1, it is possible that we will not participate in the Formula 1 World Championship in 2010."

Nothing is certain yet, but both FOTA and the FIA stand firm in their position and are unwilling to give in much.