An interview with Renault President Carlos Ghosn
Renault President Carlos Ghosn met the press on Sunday at
the Monaco Grand Prix.
Mr Ghosn, what is your opinion on the current state
of Formula 1?
CG: I believe Formula 1 is getting stronger, and becoming
increasingly popular, thanks to a healthy competitive situation.
Four or five years ago, you knew who would be on pole and
win. Now, there is more suspense, more competition, and at
least three teams capable of winning at the highest level.
That is important, because we are here for the public –
to give them a good show including technology, including heroes
and a competition between the teams. Formula 1 now has a good
commercial agreement in place, a good vision for the technology
in the sport, and healthy competition. These are good signs
for the future.
You mention the commercial deal that the Renault
F1 Team signed two weeks ago. What is the perspective for
Renault's commitment to Formula 1?
CG: We have a long-term perspective on Formula 1. For me personally,
and for Renault, there was never uncertainty about our commitment
to Formula 1. We are here to attract people and promote our
brand, and we are doing it with good results and in the right
spirit. The question for Renault was and is how we convert
that F1 involvement into growth for the brand. That will become
concrete with Renault Contract 2009. There are a lot of cars
arriving in the next three years that will benefit directly
from the halo effect of our Formula 1 victories.
Will Renault continue to provide the investment required
to win?
CG: When we are in Formula 1, we want to be at the top level,
and we will provide the necessary funding. The Renault-Nissan
Alliance has the second-highest market capitalisation in the
automotive industry, and it is second in terms of profitability.
Providing a budget is not the issue, and indeed we are in
a stronger position than many of our competitors. Our team
exists to achieve performance. We will not set a budget, and
see how much we can achieve with it. Quite the reverse: the
team is winning, they are doing a very good job, and we will
give them the means to carry on doing so.
So what about the ‘efficiency' that the Renault
F1 Team often highlights?
CG: The fact is that we have a professional team with gifted
people, and they do not over-spend. They are responsible.
We are achieving the best results on one of the smallest budgets,
and that is something that makes me very proud of the team.
It would be embarrassing if things were the other way round,
and we had the biggest budget with no results.
You have said that you want the Renault F1 Team to
keep winning, yet it will lose a world champion at the end
of the year. How will the team cope?
CG: I think that seeing people come and go is part of everyday
life in Formula 1 – it is not a disaster. When Renault
put Alonso in the car, people did not know him, and he became
champion surrounded by a good team. I don't think an exceptional
driver can win races surrounded by an ordinary group of people,
he does it with an exceptional team, a good car, and the right
technology. I have full trust in Alain (Dassas) and Flavio
(Briatore) to find the best talent for our team, and I hope
Renault's results in the future prove me right.
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