Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn said that the manufacturer will "invest more in Formula E after a successful debut season for the world's first electric racing series," according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. Ghosn: "We are going to be bigger in Formula E. You are going to see us much more involved in Formula E. We are committed to this. We want to continue to promote zero emission and electric cars so there is no way you are going to see us less involved in Formula E. You can expect to see more investment and engagement." The inaugural Formula E team title was "won by e.dams Renault," with France's four-time F1 world champion Alain Prost also involved. Renault will have new rivals in Citroen's DS brand next season after it "announced a partnership with Richard Branson's Virgin team." Audi is also "present in the series along with India's Mahindra." Ghosn said that Formula E "made sense for the Renault Group and Renault-Nissan alliance, with the group a market leader in zero emission vehicles and last week announcing they had reached a milestone of 250,000 sales globally" (REUTERS, 6/28).
WEIGHING OPTIONS: In a separate piece, Baldwin reported Ghosn said that Renault is more likely to quit F1 or "buy a team than remain just an engine supplier but the final decision depends also on the governance of the sport." The French manufacturer currently "supplies only the two Red Bull-owned teams" and its involvement beyond '16, when the contracts expire, has been the "subject of much speculation as the relationship has become stretched" to a breaking point. Ghosn: "When you are a developer and seller of engines, you have the privilege to be forgotten when you win and to be highlighted when you lose. We are not discarding anything. We can be out. We can, less likely, continue to be only an engine developer. Or we can own a team. So all the options are open. And we are analyzing all the different options for the future." Ghosn said that a decision would be "made in a matter of months" (REUTERS, 6/28).
