From GMM
Wednesday we published a story about the rumour of the Luxemburg-based company called Gravity wanting to purchase the Renault F1 team. Today, less than 24 hours later breaks another wild rumour.
Renault is reportedly devising an exit plan from formula one and it could involve selling its chassis-producing factory at Enstone to David Richards' Prodrive company.
But the French carmaker intends to remain an engine supplier to the new Prodrive team as well as Red Bull at least for the next few years, the article in Wednesday morning's print edition of the French sports daily L'Équipe added.
The report, written by former Renault engine boss Denis Chevrier's wife Anne Giuntini, added that Richards' latest F1 plans involve the backing of a minor car manufacturer that is new to F1 (Aston Martin).
Reportedly, Richards (photo) would relocate his entire Prodrive operation from Banbury to Enstone as part of the deal, but L'Équipe cautioned that Renault is also considering alternate buyers for the UK facility.
"We will make an announcement the day we have something interesting to announce," a Prodrive spokesperson is quoted as saying.
"The truth is that Prodrive, whose candidacy was not accepted by the FIA for 2010, will be ready to take part in F1, on the condition of being able to be competitive and that the company be viable," the spokesperson added.
Update
High-level meetings are taking place on Thursday in Paris at Renault’s headquarters, but final decisions about the car manufacturer commitment to the sport cannot be made for several days.
Indeed, it is believed the next meeting of the full Renault SA board is scheduled for December 14, which is realistically the earliest date on which formal announcements can be made.
photo: WRI2
Wednesday we published a story about the rumour of the Luxemburg-based company called Gravity wanting to purchase the Renault F1 team. Today, less than 24 hours later breaks another wild rumour.
Renault is reportedly devising an exit plan from formula one and it could involve selling its chassis-producing factory at Enstone to David Richards' Prodrive company.
But the French carmaker intends to remain an engine supplier to the new Prodrive team as well as Red Bull at least for the next few years, the article in Wednesday morning's print edition of the French sports daily L'Équipe added.
The report, written by former Renault engine boss Denis Chevrier's wife Anne Giuntini, added that Richards' latest F1 plans involve the backing of a minor car manufacturer that is new to F1 (Aston Martin).
Reportedly, Richards (photo) would relocate his entire Prodrive operation from Banbury to Enstone as part of the deal, but L'Équipe cautioned that Renault is also considering alternate buyers for the UK facility.
"We will make an announcement the day we have something interesting to announce," a Prodrive spokesperson is quoted as saying.
"The truth is that Prodrive, whose candidacy was not accepted by the FIA for 2010, will be ready to take part in F1, on the condition of being able to be competitive and that the company be viable," the spokesperson added.
Update
High-level meetings are taking place on Thursday in Paris at Renault’s headquarters, but final decisions about the car manufacturer commitment to the sport cannot be made for several days.
Indeed, it is believed the next meeting of the full Renault SA board is scheduled for December 14, which is realistically the earliest date on which formal announcements can be made.
photo: WRI2