Toro Rosso: A takeover by Renault would be “a fantastic opportunity”

Present at the team principals’ press conference, Franz Tost welcomed the rumors of a possible purchase of Toro Rosso by Renault.

After running its own Formula 1 team from 1977 to 1985 and then, more successfully, from 2002 to 2009 with two drivers’ titles and two constructors’ titles in 2005 and 2006, Renault might be tempted to regain control of a structure.

And this structure would be Toro Rosso, which has the advantage of working with the brand with the diamond logo since last season and is not in debt, unlike Lotus or Force India, which were also considered.

« I think it would be a fantastic opportunity for Toro Rosso to take the next step, » stated the Toro Rosso director during the conference. « The team wants to establish itself in the long term within the top five of the constructors’ championship, and being part of a manufacturer—working together with a manufacturer, being bought by a manufacturer—would be exactly the step forward the team needs to establish itself in the top 5. »

Cyril Abiteboul, the director of Renault Sport F1, who was also present at the press conference and was the first to mention the possibility for the French company to become the owner of an existing team, calmed things down, reminding that the priority was to address the current difficulties of the V6 turbo hybrid.

« I think the first priority is to improve the engine. We saw in Melbourne that it wasn’t really the start to the season we were hoping for both on and off the track. So, before really starting to make a car, I think we need to keep the engine under control. So that’s the priority for now, » he indicated to the British site F1Fanatic.

Abiteboul adds: « We will need to reassess the situation from a strategic and commercial standpoint and see if there’s something better to do than what we’re currently doing, between more Formula 1 or less Formula 1. But for now, we will focus on what we’re doing. »