P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The “French Ferrari” has failed. Now Renault’s ailing F1 team is looking for shortcuts to finally succeed in Formula 1 as Scott Mitchell-Malm explains
The French Ferrari failed to succeed in Formula 1, leading to a search for shortcuts to achieve success. Renault CEO Luca de Meo expressed the need for a major revision in his grand ambition for the Alpine-branded team post-2025. The aim was to transform the Renault works team into a “French Ferrari,” symbolizing French motorsport success and national pride. De Meo acknowledged the team’s uncompetitive and unsustainable reality, emphasizing the importance of owning a commercially successful team. He admitted mistakes and the need for quick progress, transitioning Alpine to customer status with Mercedes engines for better cost-efficiency and chances of success. Renault’s decision reflects a shift in F1 strategy towards achieving success in a challenging and expensive environment.