Renault Decision To Buy Lotus F1 Team Doesn’t Hinge On Payments From Ecclestone

Will Renault buy Lotus and make it their 'factory' team?

Renault's decision over whether to buy the Lotus F1 team does not depend on the amount of money it receives from F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, according to Charles Bradley of Motorsport.

The French car company is "currently in an evaluation process over its future in F1," as its plans for '17 and beyond potentially involve it "buying out the Lotus team and entering under its own name as it has done previously."

Discussions have been ongoing for some time, and Renault Chair & CEO Carlos Ghosn will reportedly "make the final call after reviewing the options in the coming weeks." Ecclestone recently confirmed that a Renault takeover "would not automatically trigger extra payments based on its past performance and historical record."

The rethink of its motorsport program is being led by Managing Dir Cyril Abiteboul, and he said that the French manufacturer is "totally aware of the financial situation" with regards to Ecclestone — and will "not challenge that."

Abiteboul: "Money does not buy everything in motorsport but without money there is no way that you can compete in motorsport. So we are very sensible. We don't dream."

Abiteboul expects no quick decision on Renault's F1 future, "but did admit that it would have to decide one way or the other in the next few months." He said, "I think there will be some news before the end of this season." Motorsport