GHOSN GHOST

HAUNTS RENAULT

THE DEPARTURE of scandal-hit Renault chairman and chief executive Carlos Ghosn changes nothing for the French carmaker’s involvement in Formula One, team president Jerome Stoll said yesterday.

Speaking at the launch of the team’s 2019 car at their English factory, the Renault Sport Racing boss said the company remained fully committed.

“OK, Carlos Ghosn is gone but (new CEO) Thierry Bollore is a real fan of Formula One,” he said.

“Despite his very busy agenda, he came to (the Renault techno centre) in Viry in late December to make an address to all the staff and restate the fact he was a strong sponsor and it was not because Carlos Ghosn was no more the chairman that Renault will limit its commitment to the Formula One competition.

“He came, he made his address, it was very clear – 200 people in front of him – and he said we are here, the strategy remains the same.”

Renault replaced Ghosn in January, more than two months after his arrest in Japan over allegations of financial misconduct uncovered by Renault’s Japanese partner Nissan, which he also chaired.

Stoll, 64, had been due to stand down this year but remained in place after his designated successor Thierry Koskas suddenly left the Renault Group.

Renault finished fourth in Formula One last year and are aiming to close the gap on Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull before targeting podiums, Grand Prix victories and a championship challenge under a five-year plan.

They have signed popular Australian Daniel Ricciardo, a race winner from Red Bull, and invested heavily in upgrading the factory.

Stoll warned, however, that the carmaker was very concerned by the lack of a clear plan for the sport beyond 2020 when current commercial agreements expire.