Abiteboul: ''One shouldn't complain about these hybrid engines all the time''

Renault has indicated to stay in Formula 1, but there are question marks about their long-term ambitions. There is more to be achieved in Formula E for car manufacturers, but Renault has no business there yet.

Renault stays in Formula 1

That's what Cyril Abiteboul, who as team manager is responsible for Renault's Formula 1 project. However, the Nissan-Renault combination is also active in Formula E, but under the name of Nissan. In this way the two projects complement each other and Renault can remain active in Formula 1.

''Renault-Nissan is currently involved in both Formula 1 and Formula E and that's a good collaboration at the moment. Formula 1 is still the driving force behind innovation and technology and I still see that as a great opportunity for the sport", says Abiteboul to Motorsport.com.

Electric engines

However, Formula 1 will have to have the right engine format from 2025 onwards if it they want to remain interesting for the French race team. ''F1 must clearly continue to work in the direction of electricity, as has already been the case in recent years. Formula 1 must become sustainable. We are already doing well from 2014 with hybrid engines, but people are only complaining and that is not good for publicity. Just look at what's good about those engines.''

''We also need to make the right plans for 2025 and 2026. We don't necessarily have to choose one or the other when it comes to electric motors or internal combustion engines, but we can use a hybrid mix as an example, where the balance goes even more towards electric'', concludes Abiteboul, who clearly prefers to drive electric motors in Formula 1.