Throughout 2015 the Red Bull owned teams and Renault have been caught up in a civil war.
Since the introduction of the new era of Formula One, with the aspirated v8 engines dumped in favour of v6 turbo-hybrid power Renault have been left behind by rivals Mercedes and Ferrari.
This despite being heavily involved in the talks regarding the new engine regulations from their inception and playing a major role in the development of the new Formula One regulations.
Red Bull powered by Renault won three Grand Prix with Daniel Ricciardo in 2014, but only once Mercedes had suffered problems.
In 2015 they are even further adrift much to the frustration of Red Bull Racing, who have fired numerous criticisms at their French partners.
This has led to both parties stating that they could quit Formula One entirely.
For Red Bull Racing, they need a competitive engine partner and for Renault, they need to bring an end to the negative publicity.
‘We are looking at a lot of options, including getting out of Formula 1 if it’s bad for Renault’s reputation,’ Managing Director of Renault Sport F1 Cyril Abiteboul said prior to the Malaysian Grand Prix.
It looks like the situation can only come to a conclusion by going their separate ways.
But what can Renault do if they end their partnership with Red Bull, but want to remain in Formula One?
One other option for Renault that was muted was the idea of either a rebrand of sister team Toro Rosso to provide an improved marketing position or a full on takeover.
Toro Rosso appeared to be welcome this idea with Toro Rosso’s team principal Franz Tost saying: ‘To be owned by a manufacturer would be exactly the step forward which the team needs,’ whilst sat next to Abiteboul in Malaysia.
However a take over of Toro Rosso is not the only option for Renault with rumours in the paddock suggesting that a takeover of Lotus, the same team which Renault previously owned is more likely.
This is a view that seems to be shared by Tost.
‘I can only say what has happened in the last months in connection with Renault and Toro Rosso, Yes, they have visited us in Faenza and Bicester but in the last weeks it has been quiet, so I assume that they have decided to buy another team. he told formula1.com.
‘How that would influence Toro Rosso we have to see. We have to wait for Renault’s move and announcement. Then we have to discuss a programme that fits the requests and needs of Toro Rosso.’
Renault have numerous Formula One titles to their name, they’ve won both the drivers and constructors championships as an engine supplier for Williams, Benetton and Red Bull Racing in the past and have also won both titles twice as a manufacturer in their own right.
Overall they have powered 11 Formula One World Champions to the title and taken 12 constructors titles, with over 160 Grand Prix wins making them one of the most successful engine suppliers in the history of Formula One.
Toro Rosso takeover talks over
