JANUARY 3, 2004

Renault looking at WRC

Renault sources have told Autosport magazine that the company is looking at a World Rally championship programme - and that must create fears that the French car firm will cut back on its Formula 1 activities. The company has carried out a feasibility study of a WRC attack, designed to challenge the Peugeot and Citroen teams in the all-important French market. The likely move would be to use the Megane model.

The big question is whether or not Renault would consider running F1 and WRC programmes simultaneously or whether it will follow the lead of Peugeot and get out of F1 and concentrate on winning in rallying. This was a very successful move for Peugeot and resulted in a huge amount of publicity.