Renault want a Junior F1 Team

[Wrex]

Full story at F1-Live.com

F1 team Renault wants to link-up with Sauber, Jordan or Minardi.

According to Motorsport News, the French-arm based in Viry-Chatillon wants not only to supply the team with engines, but forge an expensive 'junior' division.

'It wouldn't be just as an engine supplier,' CEO Patrick Faure said.

He added, 'We could have agreements with drivers, engineers and mechanics as well. We'll look at all the options in September.'

Very interesting. He also makes comments that Renault will be prepared for engine supply from 2005 onwards (but more than $10 million a peice).

Which team would they take on? I cant see Sauber jumping ship. EJ I think would jump at it though, was would Paul.

[ralf fan]

yeah but where will Minnie and jordon get that kind of money to get Renault power....

[shiny side up!]

Do you think that Renault would charge them full price for powerplants if they were indeed acting as a 'Junior' team for them? I think it would be good for Minnie or Jordan (or...gasp...a new team???) to have a technical/developmental aliance with one of the teams toward the front of the grid, however limited that aliance may be...

[Attila]

None of those teams have Michelins and as far as I know none of the Bridgestone teams can jump ships now. Maybe I am wrong.

[shiny side up!]

Oh, that's a great point, Attila! Renault would most certainly need to be on the same tires as its Junior team...

[Smokey 6 litre]

But Bridgestone teams are only restricted from jumping as long as they are contracted, but as has been said, i doubt Minardi or Jordan could afford that kind of money!

[Gt_R]

Wow...so now nobody is having any problems that Renault plans a B-team? No cries of foul play or against the spirit?

I really wonder what those people who are "afraid" that Ferrari abuse the Sauber-relationship to disrupt their rivals would think about a full fledged Renault B team.

And i'm curious..what would this "B" team be called?

[DriverT]

B for Briatore?

But seriously, I would think they would supply them for free. The team will be their lapdogs.

[Mekola]

Looking back to history, I think Minardi is the favourite to be the Renault "B" team (remember that Flavio invested in Minardi in 1997, and was involved in the Minardi engagements Trulli, Alonso and Webber...).

[ralf fan]

if everything is settled and Minardi do get this opprtunity i think its good news for F1.. in the past Minardi has totally been off the pace and they need the break. However i think the tyres will be a stumbling block. Renault will need the B team to be with the same tyre manufacturers at least

[Skam85]

I hope they make a B team that is seperate, to bump it up to 11 teams again!!

[ActiveMS]

I would like to see the following:

1. The top three finishing teams in any one year are forced to run a B spec Junior team the following year with 2 cars. (They could use the previous years chassis)

2. The Junior team must be run by a privateer with support from the partner team.

3. Junior team must not take on pay drivers, but some sort of scholarship scheme run in conjunction with a lower class formula

This would help increase the grid by at least 6 competitive cars. The top teams can justify the 20-30m expense as they are effectively doubling the TV exposure for their sponsors etc.

Go on FOM & FIA use your brain cells and provide a real spectacle for the world to see.

[Wrex]

How is this different to teams running 23 extra cars?

[BootsOntheSide]

If those teams are contracted to Bridgestone for 2005, Renault's only option is to set a team up from scratch (perhaps an existing F3000 squad), but September would be far too late to get everything in place for the following season. 2006 might be the soonest they can do this.

It's a shame when teams lose their independance, and more manufacturer backing comes in, but it would stabilise an existing smaller team or bring a new one in. Squads like Super Nova and Arden have been knocking on the door for quite a while now, and could surely make good use of competitive equipment.

[Glen]

If Bridgestone were to get thrashed this year and push Ferrari well out of contention I can't see how they would survive - Ferrari would have to do something to get on competitive tyres, and whatever that is (forcing Bridgsetone out?) would radically change the landscape and open up more possibilities such as getting involved with Jordan or Minardi.

[Raglanparade]

There was always talk of Goodyear coming back into F1.
Personally i would like to see 4 tyre manufacters... and 15odd teams..... but its not a perfect world is it

-jason