F1 risks losing manufacturers over rising costs

Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul says that Formula One is risking losing several manufacturers in the future due to the unsustainable costs of the current power units. The Renault man believes that the rising costs are "untenable".

Speaking to Autosport, Abiteboul explained the huge expenditure that went into the engines and if the sport didn't change direction soon, they would risk losing several teams and manufacturers due to the high costs.

He cited Honda's huge investments as a cause for concern, adding that although the results may be good now, the bigger picture is one that doesn't look so bright.

“That (rising cost) is in my opinion untenable.

“It may be paying dividends for Honda now, but at some point it will be untenable for one of the four – and who knows what will happen then.

“I think F1 cannot afford to lose one of them. And I don’t see enough decision/action being taken to alleviate that necessity to spend in a way that might be untenable in the medium to long-term.”

He added that the Renault team is preparing to turn their attention to 2021 regulations, with their aims of being back at the sharp end of the grid planned already.

"We also need to put that in perspective of 2021, where we want to start as early as possible.

"As always we need to see how we can balance short-term objective with long-term objectives.”