Renault deal would resurrect top form - Lotus
A tie-up between Renault and Lotus to create a new Formula 1 works outfit would result in a new era of competitiveness for both engine manufacturer and team, reckons deputy team principal Federico Gastaldi.
Renault is currently evaluating its options in F1, and is seriously considering a takeover of the Enstone-based Lotus team so it can return with its own squad for 2017.
A decision about the plans is expected imminently, with an announcement set to be made over the next few weeks.
Return to the front
Although both Renault and Lotus have not enjoyed their most competitive form since the new turbo regulations came in, Gastaldi is convinced the situation for both of them would change if an alliance was forged.
"As I kept saying from last year when people were asking – the first one interested in having good results is Renault itself," Gastaldi told Motorsport.com.
"It is a multi national company with lots of history, not only as a car manufacturer but also in motor racing itself. It has had a great deal of results in different formulas.
"What happened last year [with engine struggles] unfortunately also happened to Ferrari.
"Mercedes has done a better job than all of us, that is not in dispute, but I am sure if they [Renault] made the decision [to commit with Lotus], then they have the right people to sort it out.
"They just need to push the button to make it happen.
"It may take a longer or shorter time, but they will come back [to the front] for sure, with or without us. We know they can do it."
Untapped potential
Lotus has faced some difficult times over the past two seasons as F1's tough financial climate has resulted in a limited development budget.
Gastaldi has no doubts, however, that the potential that helped the team fight for wins as recently as 2013 is still there, and would be unlocked by a cash injection from new owners.
"Obviously if we have a bigger pockets, it will be easier to look for new development investment," he said.
"Probably we can improve also by bringing back some people who left. For us, it would be fantastic if Renault comes back.
"When they started thinking about it, and it came out in the open that they were trying to come back, first it was Red Bull, then they talk about Sauber, Force India and us – and now they are talking to us. We are very happy about.
"If they do decide to come back, for us it would be a mega plus. Having Renault back is a no-brainer. But if they don't come, we have to keep pushing in our own direction."
F1 mid-season match up - Part 5 The Odd couple: McLaren vs Manor
Toro Rosso sure fifth place still possible
Diriyah E-Prix: Wehrlein defeats Dennis to complete double win
Pascal Wehrlein completed a Diriyah E-Prix clean sweep, sharing a 1-2 with Jake Dennis once again to take the Formula E championship lead.
Johnson on Button running NASCAR Cup races: "I think I can talk him into it"
2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button will get his first taste of NASCAR with the Garage 56 entry at Le Mans, but it may not be his last.
Jenson Button joins NASCAR Garage 56 Le Mans 24 driver lineup
Jenson Button has been revealed as part of the driver lineup for the Garage 56 entry that brings NASCAR back to the Le Mans 24 Hours for its centenary race in June.
Ex-F1 driver Mazepin to make race return in Asian Le Mans Series
Former Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin will return to racing for the first time in over a year when he joins the Asian Le Mans Series next month.
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? Luke Smith asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
What difference did F1's fastest pitstops of 2022 make?
While a quick pitstop can make all the difference to the outcome of a Formula 1 race, most team managers say consistency is more important than pure speed. MATT KEW analyses the fastest pitstops from last season to see which ones – if any – made a genuine impact
When F1 'holiday' races kept drivers busy through the winter
Modern Formula 1 fans have grown accustomed to a lull in racing during winter in the northern hemisphere. But, as MAURICE HAMILTON explains, there was a time when teams headed south of the equator rather than bunkering down in the factory. And why not? There was fun to be had, money to be made and reputations to forge…
What Porsche social media frenzy says about F1’s manufacturer allure
Porsche whipped up a frenzy thanks to a cryptic social media post last week, and though it turned out to be a false alarm, it also highlighted more just why manufacturers remain such an important element in terms of the attraction that they bring to F1. It is little wonder that several other manufacturers are bidding for a slice of the action.
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.