Cyril Abiteboul will immediately leave the Renault Formula 1 team, which will be called Alpine from next season. It is not yet clear who will succeed the Frenchman.
The departure of 43-year-old Abiteboul seems to be the result of the restructuring at Renault. He would take the lead at Alpine, which has a history of long-distance racing and rallying, but the decision has now been made differently.
Abiteboul will also not be given another role within Renault. The French carmaker announced on Monday that Laurent Rossi will be Alpine’s new CEO, but he is unlikely to serve as team boss.
Abiteboul says in an initial response to his departure that he is grateful to the Renault Group. “I want to thank everyone for their confidence in them for many years,” said Abiteboul, who joined Renault in 2016 when the team returned to the premier class of motorsport. He previously worked for Caterham F1, which no longer exists.
Cyril Abiteboul (left) with Esteban Ocon and Daniel Ricciardo, the Renault drivers in 2020.
Cyril Abiteboul (left) with Esteban Ocon and Daniel Ricciardo, the Renault drivers in 2020. Photo: Pro Shots
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Colors of the car are different
Under Abiteboul’s leadership, ambitions were high, but Renault has not yet been able to get into the top.
Last season, the team drove with Esteban Ocon and Daniel Ricciardo, who will be working for McLaren in 2021 and will be succeeded by 39-year-old Fernando Alonso, who took the world title in 2005 and 2006.
With the name change to Alpine, Renault wants to get a more French appearance in Formula 1. The car will no longer be yellow, but predominantly blue and will receive red and white accents. Renault remains the engine supplier.
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