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Renault open to more teams

ESPNF1 Staff
September 14, 2011

Renault announced a new deal with Red Bull at Monza last weekend © Getty Images

Renault chief operating officer Carlos Tavares says that the engine manufacturer would not be opposed to supplying more teams on the grid.

Renault announced an extension of its partnership with Red Bull during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, while it also supplies Renault, Lotus and Williams at present. Following the new deal, Tavares told the Renault Sport website that the manufacturer was focussing on supplying engines having previously had its own team, and that adding more teams to its customers would be beneficial in allowing Renault to have more of a say in the direction of Formula One.

"Our strategy hasn't changed," Tavares said. "We have refocused our operations to supplying engines. I am very happy with this as something I am trying to achieve with the teams within Renault is that we concentrate on the essentials and not spread ourselves too thinly. The heart of a car is its engine so I am very happy that we are focusing on this element. I think we are doing very well in this area and the results speak for themselves.

"That four teams are coming to us to supply their engines and we have the ability to satisfy them is very positive. If we have to supply more partners I would not be opposed to it. As we have more partners we dilute our costs. I think it is very important for Renault to have a significant market share for our voice to be heard. Our teams at Viry-Châtillon are more than capable of supplying four teams so I do not see any reason for us to change our strategy."

Tavares also believes that the new 'premium technical operation' with Red Bull will see the engine design include more consideration for aerodynamic packaging.

"We believe that the engine isn't simply a power unit or a means of producing torque, it can also have characteristics that can make allow for formidable aerodynamic packaging. So this collaboration has the dual aim of wanting to stay as the best engine in the field, but also to make sure its characteristics allow the chassis team to optimise the chassis aerodynamics."

Credit: ESPN F1 (en.espnf1.com)