Romain Grosjean will not roll for Renault in 2010. The team chose Vitaly Petrov for the second driver alongside Robert Kubica, “she said Sunday in Valencia, where it presented its new car, the R30. A page turns. 
Renault has a new shareholder, new drivers, a new car with new colors, wants to turn the page after a 2009 season Formula 1 sporting failure, where his image was tarnished. The days of one of the oldest F1 teams had long seemed numbered after the scandal “Crashgate” – the voluntary accident of Nelson Piquet Grand Prix 2008 – which saw Renault, lack of liquidity unleashed by its partners. The Diamond brand had vowed his commitment to discipline-the pinnacle of motorsport. But the assignment of an important, and perhaps majority stake in his team to the Luxembourg company Genii Capital seemed ominous.
Sunday at Valencia in Spain, presentation in a beautiful winter sunshine of the car in 2010, called R30, aa hand was during a demonstration of strength and optimism. The owner of Genii capital, Gerard Lopez has reassured the world of F1. “With 480 employees, Renault remains the second largest team of board by its size. If Renault just wanted to survive in F1, there are cheaper ways to do it,” began Mr. Lopez said, little to say on redemption terms of the team. “I do not know whether it was a good deal. I know the day it reaches the level of expected return. (…) We’ll know within two years,” he said, dismissing any idea of speculation. “There are other areas where we could speculate much more clearly and make more money.”
“Preparing for 2011
Renault F1 presumably bailed out financially, the sports section has been discussed. The two new drivers, the talented Polish Robert Kubica and the beginner Russian Vitaly Petrov, lifted the sheet covering the R30. A car longer and far more aesthetically successful than its predecessor then appeared, painted yellow and black colors of historic Renault. “Everything is interwoven. With these colors, the message is clear. Renault does not start,” observed the new director of the team, Eric Boullier. He continued: “The plan is ambitious. We will develop the car aggressively this season to see where our capabilities. Finish in 4th place overall manufacturers would be ideal, but not 25 points 3rd. And we will prepare 2011, to fight for the podium and even more. ”
The doublets drivers for achieving these purposes may be surprised. If Kubica, replacing the double world champion Fernando Alonso, who left in the offseason at Ferrari seems unquestionable teammate Petrov is much less. Two of the GP2 series last year after the departure of his teammate Romain Grosjean, who was ahead at half-Championship when his move to Renault F1, the great Russian does not seem to give any guarantee of exceptional speed. “Vitaly is a choice can be risky. But we must also consider the sustainability of the company in the future,” Eric Boullier analyzed.
Surprised Petrov
First Russian to practice in the discipline, Petrov, who came with his sponsors, according to Gerard Lopez, could simplify the life of Renault and Ginii Capital if it “wins races or is capable challenger Robert” Kubica, and it attracted a Russian public still refractory to F1, defended Mr Boullier. “This is not a story of money. Richards also brought,” he commented, the new director of Renault F1, echoing Gerard Lopez, the new shareholder. “Vitaly brings sponsors. But there are other drivers who could bring in twice,” has said Lopez. Put some of its fate in the hands of a neophyte … the future of Renault F1 is perhaps not as clear as that.