Frederic Vasseur leaves the Renault F1 team

It was announced this morning that Renault team principal Frederic Vasseur has resigned from the Enstone-operation on the eve of the 2017 Formula 1 season.

The Frenchman, who enjoyed great success in junior categories as head of ART, joined Renault at the start of last season as it began a restructuring on its return to grand prix racing as a manufacturer team.

While the team endured a challenging season on track, Vasseur worked closely with Renault F1 chief Cyril Abiteboul on a major restructuring and recruitment drive to help it move forward in the longer term.
During the middle of the campaign, Vasseur was made team principal, with Abiteboul moving to a factory role at Enstone to help guide the operation.

However, it is understood that Vasseur had differences of opinion with senior management figures about the direction Renault needed to take in F1 and he decided to leave the team as a result.

In a statement to the media this morning, Renault said the following about Vasseur's departure:-

“After a first season spent relaunching and rebuilding its Formula 1 team, Renault Sport Racing and Frederic Vasseur have agreed by mutual consent to part company, effective as of today.

“Both parties remain committed to maintaining the good working relationship they have enjoyed and expect this to take a new form sometime in the future.

“The outlook of Renault’s second season back in Formula 1, as well as the resources implemented to meet them, will be set out in detail at the presentation of the team’s new race car [on February 21].

“Renault Sport Racing and the Formula 1 team continue to be managed by Jerome Stoll, its president, and Cyril Abiteboul, its managing director.”

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa