Renault will be competing in Formula One next season, after taking over the Lotus team. The talks have been going on for a few months now but have only just been confirmed. After the breakdown of their relationship with Red Bull, a team they won four titles with, Renault have decided it will be best for them to return to the sport as a constructor.
The drivers will be Jolyon Palmer and Pastor Maldonado, as they were signed to drive for Lotus before the Renault take over was fully decided. The team believe that competing in Formula One has more benefits for them than solely being an engine supplier.
The Renault team won the 2005 and 2006 constructors’ champioships, with their driver, Alonso, taking two titles as well. Between 2010 and 2013, their engine was in the car of the winning constructor, Red Bull. However, since the new hybrid rules were introduced in 2014, they were criticised massively by Red Bull for their engines. They will remain as engine suppliers for the team next year, despite the disputes.