Abiteboul: Red Bull ditching to help Renault fine-tune engine without distractions

Cyril Abiteboul has suggested Red Bull’s termination as a customer team will help Renault improve because they won’t have to deal with as many distractions. Previously, when the deal had just been announced, Abiteboul seemed spiteful saying that he will make Red Bull regret this decision. 

It looks as if the Frenchman has calmed down and has focused on the positives. He now says “it is good that we are moving on” seeming much more relaxed in an interview with Sky. Abiteboul went on to suggest this sort of thing was always going to happen. 

“When Renault came back in 2015 and it was clear, somewhere down the road, it would have some impact on the Red Bull relationship,” said Abiteboul. 

“So to a certain degree, it’s the last element of our strategy moving on from being an engine supplier a couple of years before and now being a works team. 

“So that will allow us to focus on the works team. No more distractions, no more excuse not to deliver with the works team and that’s what matters.”

Renault still have one customer team for the 2019 season. McLaren made the reverse move at the start of this season ditching Honda after unacceptable results.