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Renault has confirmed that Marcin Budkowski will join the team as its Executive Director. The story has caused a stir in the Formula 1 paddock, as the Pole only recently stepped down from his role as FIA technical chief, where he had access to all of the team's 2018 plans.
The bosses of F1 teams met last week in Malaysia to discuss the matter and even wrote to the FIA to voice their outrage. However, under Swiss law, (the FIA base is situated in Geneva), gardening leave amounts to just three months, meaning Budkowski will join before the start of the 2018 season.
Speaking about the move, Renault's Managing Director Cyril Abiteboul said: "There have been a lot of positive changes these last few months at Renault Sport Racing with an accelerated expansion at Enstone, the restructuring of our engine deployment from Viry with the supply of two top customer teams for 2018, three titles in a row in an increasingly competitive Formula E championship and other motor racing categories, and the arrival of new strategic partners.
"All of this is happening in a context where the seasons are longer and more intense. It was clear that the Renault Sport Racing management structure needed reinforcing. Marcin’s mission will be to continue the strengthening of Enstone to enable Renault to join the top Formula 1 teams by 2020, through relying on the proven personnel of the likes of Bob Bell, Nick Chester and Rob White. Marcin’s arrival is excellent news and further proof of our determination to achieve our goals.”
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
27 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (6)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
This wont end well...
juju_hound
Posts: 180
Not a good move. He could replace Charlie in the future, working for F1 for another 40 years. but it seems he didn't want it. Money or new challenge made him doing that. Everyone are so afraid about him to steal the data of 2018 cars and give it to Renault. If that happens noone will hire him in the future - who want to hire guy who did it once and why not doing it for another time...
KyalamiKid
Posts: 146
Even if he doesnt provide the information deliberately, he knows what he knows, so any Renault invention for next year will be under scrutiny. It s a clumsy move from all parties involved. He should have opted for a longer leave between jobs himself, show some goodwill.
juju_hound
Posts: 180
I just can't imagine FIA will leave it like that. Other teams don't like it, FIA doesn't like it. I think Renault might get an advantage from next year but FIA won't help them in the future because of that.
But looking from other side - maybe FIA as a French party has nothing against to help Renault. At the end of the day there are a lot of background talkings we can't imagine are possible.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Very controversial that this is even possible. I figured a guy like him would have a "no compete" period of a year or so, where he couldn't join a team involved in F1.
This should be interesting, maybe one should grab some popcorn.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
A "no compete"-clause is actually a good idea, but thats probably exactly why the FIA hasnt come up with it.