The world of F1 is heading to Singapore expecting news about the McLaren-Honda split to become official. It is now an open secret that McLaren will instead team up with Renault, in a complex deal that involves Toro Rosso taking over the Honda deal.
Asked why Renault simply didn't add a fourth team to its F1 roster rather than losing Toro Rosso, Renault F1 president Jerome Stoll said at the Frankfurt Motor Show: "Technically, we cannot. Otherwise, it would be to the detriment of one of the three teams we supply," he is quoted in a French-language AFP report. "After all we are not a simple supplier in F1, but an actual actor of the competition. Our problem is the strategy we have put in place to reach the podium by 2020."
It is widely believed that, tied up with the complex deal, Toro Rosso owner Red Bull has agreed to release Carlos Sainz to the works Renault team. That is despite the fact that some see Frenchman Esteban Ocon as a more natural teammate for German Nico Hulkenberg at Renault.
Asked about that, Stoll said: "We talk to everyone. You have to see who is not free, who is free completely, or who is partially free with an elastic to go back. With Esteban, he has a contract with Mercedes," he explained. "So if he comes, it is for a given period. So is it interesting to have him for this period and then, when it could get even better, that elastic is pulled? It may make sense or it may not."
One interpretation is that the driver market will become even more interesting after 2018, when the deals of many drivers expire. But Stoll said: "In fact, there will not be so many places, since Vettel and Hamilton have re-signed. So those who target Mercedes and Ferrari are likely to be disappointed. We are a very good option for very good drivers," he added. (GMM)
Stoll: "Renault can't supply engines to four teams"
- Published on 13 Sep 2017 16:59
-
4
- By: Rob Veenstra
Trending news
-
Alonso on Honda criticism: "I seemed crazy ten years ago"
Fernando Alonso believes his historical criticisms of Honda's power units have finally been vindicated by the cur...
16 Mar 2026 13:59 -
Sergio Pérez warns of "inevitable" crash under new F1 start rules
Cadillac driver Sergio Pérez has issued a stark warning to Formula 1 and the FIA, claiming that a major accide...
16 Mar 2026 16:10 -
James Vowles: Budget cap blocks immediate Williams weight fix
Williams team principal James Vowles has revealed that while the technical solutions to fix the overweight FW48 are a...
16 Mar 2026 14:59 -
Peter Bonnington: Kimi Antonelli has the "extra tenth" of Schumacher
Mercedes engineer Peter Bonnington has offered high praise for Kimi Antonelli following the young Italian's maide...
16 Mar 2026 12:57 -
Verstappen looks to Nürburgring return after F1 "horror weekend"
Following a disastrous performance in the Chinese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen is turning his focus toward his upcoming...
16 Mar 2026 11:56
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
World Championship standings 2025
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Team profile
- Team name Renault
- Base Enstone, France
- Fernando Alonso 1
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 7
- Romain Grosjean 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Jenson Button 15
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Jolyon Palmer 30
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
236,925 comments on Renault
27 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Renault

Replies (4)
Login to replyBarron
Posts: 625
Ha! Got really confused here. Thought the headline said "Stroll" and I wondered what the heck he had to do with it!!??!!
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
lol, me too.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Hehe same! XD
Freguz
Posts: 160
haha, me too! :-)