Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar says Renault is looking to improve its standing in F1 – Formula 1 news
Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar says Renault has proved that it is become goal oriented as it opted for drivers based on talent and not sponsors.
“It shows the determination that we have, and it shows that there is understanding of what it will take,” explained Bahar during a media lunch in London on Monday.
“The team's two main partners [Gerard Lopez and Eric Lux] said, 'look this isn't about commercial matters and going for the highest bidder, it was about going for the best drivers we can get. We did an analysis together and we said, although Vitaly has a
sweeter commercial element to him, we shall go for pure racing. It may be more difficult for us commercially but we are up for the challenge,” he further added.
The inclusion of Kimi Raikkonen is being heralded as a class act as the former world champion is still considered to be one of the great drivers in modern day Formula 1. The inclusion of the young Romain Grosjean though came as a surprise as it was being
assumed that Vitaly Petrov will retain his race seat. Petrov had the element of sponsors as well and it has been a bold step from the team management to go for Grosjean, who has been on the fringes of Formula 1 seat for some time now.
Bahar further explained to Autosport.com that the plan has been to act boldly and work towards building a team that will give out positive results. He also said that there have been a lot of technical improvements and still there is room for a lot more and
the team of engineers and the management is working on those aspects as well.
He said that because the Lotus naming row is now over, he hopes that there will be more sponsors push for his company in F1.
Bahar also shed some light over the speculation of Genii buying out Group Lotus team and said that, although we have been working closely and plan to do so in the future as well, buying out each other is not on the table.
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