Renault look for the positives in losing McLaren as a customer

In 2021, McLaren will be ditching Renault engines and moving back to Mercedes power units. According to Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul, this isn't all bad news for the team themselves. 

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso also ended their partnership with Renault in recent times. McLaren indicated that the power of the French engines isn't enough and therefore have approached Mercedes. 

Abiteboul tells Motorsport.com in Japan, among others, that he sees sporting benefits in the departure of Mclaren. “If you have multiple customers and want to satisfy them all and take their feedback everywhere, as Renault does now, then that is a form of distraction. From 2021 that will be less and we can then fully focus on ourselves," says the team boss.

In earlier conversations, the Frenchman already said that there is not exactly a close cooperation between Renault and McLaren. According to Renault's CEO, the team won't lose much data as a result. “Financially there is actually almost no impact at all. Selling power sources almost costs us money, thanks to the uplifting limits of the selling price. It is of course not good news for Renault to see McLaren leave because it is positive to see as many teams as possible ride your bikes. But it makes virtually no difference for our team," Abiteboul explains.