Former Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul to take up Red Bull Powertrains role - report

Cyril Abiteboul, who was Renault's Formula 1 managing director from 2014-20, could make a stunning return to the sport - with Red Bull Racing.

Cyril Abiteboul in a file photo. (Image: F1)
By Shayne Dias | Jan 17, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

When thinking of who Red Bull Racing would want in charge of their Powertrains department, it is fair to say Cyril Abiteboul would not be the first name on many fans’ lists.

This isn’t due to the Frenchman’s lack of credibility, but the strained relationship he shares with the Milton Keynes-based team. Yet, a recent report in Motorsport Italy claims the unlikely alliance is set to happen.

Abiteboul will be in charge of Red Bull Powertrains, the division set up to manufacture Red Bull’s engines from the 2022 season onwards.

This department was set up after Red Bull purchased Honda’s F1 engine department. Honda, it is worth noting, departed the sport at the end of the 2021 season.

That being said, going with Abiteboul is still a shock choice. The Frenchman was in charge at Renault from 2014-20, and was often the target of criticism from Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal.

The two bickered in public as Horner questioned the quality of the Renault power engines. Eventually Red Bull chose to ditch Renault and join forces with Honda.

But that wasn’t the end. Abiteboul further annoyed the team by signing away Daniel Ricciardo in 2019. The Australian was a Red Bull junior and his departure from the team shocked many.

Cyril Abiteboul to Red Bull – a move in the making for some time?

However, there are some who believe the move has been in the works for a while. After all, Cyril Abiteboul was spotted in the Red Bull garage during the 2021 season-ending Abu Dhabi GP.

He himself later admitted that he was there and even praised the team for the championship win.

“I have to confess I was at Red Bull,” said Abiteboul, quoted by GPFans. “I can admit it because I was spotted there. It’s all right, I’ve chosen the right place!

“I have worked a lot with Red Bull. People remember our differences, but I also have a lot of respect for this completely results-oriented organisation.

“I want to say that at all costs. Sometimes that was what Renault lacked, that willingness to want to win at all costs.

“When I see the strategic choices made by Helmut Marko, with Max [Verstappen] and with Honda, and the implementation of them by the team in Milton Keynes under Christian’s leadership, I am glad it paid off in the end.

“And those last few minutes in Abu Dhabi, you could say to yourself it was meant to be.”

Abiteboul, who was sacked from Renault – now Alpine – in 2021, has been working as a consultant for Mecachrome, the company that assembles Renault’s F1 engines.