Formula One news

Optimism at Renault for next year

The Renault team, whilst acknowledging what has been its worst season since re-entering Formula One in 2002, believes that there is genuine reason to feel positive ahead of 2010. However, with their only points scorer of the year moving on to Ferrari, Jean-François Caubet knows that next season's task will not be an easy one.

Former Managing Director Flavio Briatore is now banned from the sport following 'Crashgate'

Unfortunately for the Enstone team, more headlines have been generated for its news away from the race track than on it this year following the 'Crashgate' scandal of Singapore last season, widely viewed as the worst ever controversy in the sport's history. For Managing Director Caubet, however, it is now time to look to the future.

"We have to recognise that this has been a difficult year for Renault," he said. "From a technical standpoint, the year started with confusion and on the human side we will miss Fernando (Alonso), who is leaving the team. From the political perspective, all the problems that we have encountered this year have been negative for us and for Formula One.

Enter: Robert Kubica from BMW

"But next season is full of hope; we have turned the page and the future is ahead of us. The strategy is well underway, the choice of drivers is close and the technical changes being overseen by Bob (Bell) for the chassis and Rob (White) for the engine are promising."

Having lost title sponsor ING as a result of the Singapore saga, how does the diamond marque approach the new season from a commercial angle? "The sponsors are coming back and, even though we are disappointed with our performance in the final race of the season, we know that changes are underway and we are confident for the future," Caubet continued. "The team is united and full of optimism."

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