Luca de Meo, the CEO of the Renault Group, has taken decisive action to bridge the longstanding divide between the British and French factions within the carmaker’s Formula 1 team. L’Equipe, a leading sports newspaper, has reported that de Meo made a highly unusual visit to the Alpine team’s principal headquarters in the UK, located in Enstone, last Wednesday.
This visit comes during a period of considerable management instability within the F1 team, marked by the recent dismissal of team principal Otmar Szafnauer and speculation linking individuals like Mattia Binotto and Eric Boullier to the role.
Nevertheless, it is understood that Bruno Famin, the interim team boss, is likely to retain the position at least until the end of 2023, and possibly into 2024.
Famin, while at Suzuka, mentioned that he is currently “evaluating” the situation at Renault’s two F1 facilities – the chassis division in Enstone and the engine headquarters in Viry, France.
“I believe one of the key challenges is to unify all the personnel,” he commented. “We have significant potential, but the challenge lies in bringing everyone together to enhance performance. This is what I’m currently assessing.”
According to L’Equipe, the primary objective of de Meo’s recent visit was to foster greater collaboration between the Enstone and Viry factories.
“The Hundred Years’ War between England and France concluded a long time ago,” de Meo was quoted as saying to senior management.
The sports newspaper reports that de Meo will no longer tolerate the Enstone and Viry-based personnel staying in separate hotels during Grand Prix events.
“In the motorhome, they occupy separate tables – one table conversing in English, the other in French,” noted L’Equipe.
Renault is now planning an intensive team-building camp in France involving around 100 key members from both the Enstone and Viry factions, aiming to improve integration and cooperation.
De Meo is reportedly also concerned about the team’s slow pace of progress.
“Can we accept that the construction of a new simulator in Enstone has been delayed for two years?” he queried.
“In two years, an entire car manufacturing plant capable of producing 750,000 cars annually could be built,” de Meo added, underlining the urgency for improvement.
