Ghosn: "Renault won't stick around if we can't compete".

[Knowlesy]

It seems a while since we had the scare stories of Carlos Ghosn pulling the plug on Renault F1. When he took over, we were told of his apparent lack of interest in investing in Formula 1, questioning the returns, and that Renault would not stick around too long.

Luckily, this coincided with a very successful 2005 and 2006 for the team. A marketing dream.

Now, with Renault floundering a bit, the fears return.

Originally Posted by Carlos Ghosn

"If I am in a situation where we are number four or number five and we have no hope to do better, be part of the show or win again, then I say why are we participating?

"We are not going to be here to say 'me too, I am also in Formula One'. We don't want to do that. But ups and downs, we are used to it."

Which is fair enough, but this guy allegedly will be less patient than, say, the bosses of Toyota. How quickly will Renault get back to the front, if ever? Maybe they don't have as much time as we would like to think...

Still, Carlos does not expect to win every year at least.

Originally Posted by Carlos Ghosn

"I am very confident that the team are going to do a much better second half of the season than the first. And again we want to continue to be part of the show at the best level.

"We are here to win. To perform. But I cannot reasonably ask (team boss) Flavio (Briatore) to win every year. I am asking him but at the same time, I cannot expect that every single year the team is going to be number one.

"But you have to be always part of the show. You have to be always part of the two or three teams that can make it for the year. That is very important."

They are pretty fair comments, but with what we know of this guy and Renault looking like they may need a while to recover (can anyone imagine them getting back to Ferrari and McLaren's level soon?) it could be back to supplying engines again. Which seems at odds with their recent commitment to Formula 1 up to 2012...

Doesn't sound all that brilliant to me. Let's hope Renault bounce back within two years.

Quotes frrom: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/59200