Will Renault sacrifice the upcoming season? "We have to make a decision now"

Renault have been preparing for a championship challenge since their reintroduction to Formula 1. With the 2021 rule and regulation overhaul now on the horizon, Renault could decide to focus more on 2021 rather than the upcoming F1 season. Alain Prost says important decisions must be made now. 

According to Prost, the new rules offer a great opportunity for Renault and the team must be able to make the same aerodynamic catch-up as they did with their power source over the last 12 months. Unlike the current top teams, Prost says Renault must set a list of priorities. 

“The top teams have the money for two programs. Even if they continue to develop normally for 2020, they still have a budget for 2021 that is the same as ours for both years together," Prost explained to Auto Motor und Sport. 

“We can then prepare for 2021 under the same conditions as the top teams, but then you have to make an important decision now. A team like Renault cannot just sacrifice a season, we will still have to be reasonable."

After finally climbing their way up to 'best of the rest' in 2018, the French team slipped down the ladder. McLaren's impressive gains didn't help Renault, but they themselves admit they weren't good enough in 2019.