Renault denies breaking ranks with FOTA

(GMM) Renault has denied it is contemplating breaking ranks with its fellow manufacturers and accepting the FIA's proposals for effectively a standard engine formula.

It was reported on Wednesday, both in English-speaking as well as foreign media, that F1's four independent teams, but also Renault, have responded favourably to Max Mosley's request for interest in receiving a low-cost Cosworth engine from 2010.

But at a recent meeting, the F1 teams' alliance FOTA unanimously agreed its own alternate plans for a low-cost – but not standard – turbo engine formula for 2011 and beyond.

FOTA's unified stance demonstrated they were resolute in their desire that F1 retain its core principles of being a spectacle but also a technological challenge.

"Even Renault wants to adhere to the FIA's plan," the Italian newspaper La Stampa observed. "Thus Max Mosley has succeeded in scoring the first point in this match."

Renault, however, reacted on Wednesday by insisting it remains in step with the F1 alliance.

"Following speculation that appeared this morning in the Italian press, (Renault) would like to state that the positions of the Team and Renault are in complete accordance to those of the FOTA," a statement said.

It has also emerged that one of FOTA's unanimous proposals to cut costs but retain F1's principles is to reduce races from their current 300km to just 250km in 2009 and beyond.