Former Renault F1 Boss Reveals How Red Bull Quashed Bad Blood at Abu Dhabi GP

Red Bull enjoyed a very successful 2021 campaign in Formula One. They won the drivers’ championship with Max Verstappen and finished as a close second in the constructors’ championship. But in a surprising development, former Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul was spotted in the garage of the Austrian team in Abu Dhabi.

It is well documented that the Austrian team and Renault had a successful, yet tumultuous, relationship. In 2019, while Cyril was the team principal of the French outfit, the Austrian team left Renault for Honda for their engine supplier in F1. Recently, Abiteboul admitted he was in the garage of his former partners for the final race of 2021.

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“I’ve worked with Red Bull for a long time”: Cyril Abiteboul

As reported by Motorsport-Turkey, the Frenchman stated that he and the Milton-Keynes-based outfit have worked together for a long time. During their partnership, he had developed good relationships with people on the team. He also commented on the Red Bull-Honda partnership and what Renault lacks as compared to the Austrian team.

“Yes, I can admit I was in the Red Bull garage because people have already seen me in a few pictures! I’ve worked with Red Bull for a long time. People remember our discussions, but I have a lot of respect for this results-driven organization that wants to be successful at any cost. Sometimes that’s what Renault lacked: the will to win at any cost.” said Cyril.

“I am very happy that Helmut Marko’s strategic choices with Max and Honda, under the leadership of Christian Horner, have paid off,” said the former Renault boss.

It is certainly interesting to see Abiteboul in the Austrian team’s garage after their public disagreements. Maybe this invitation could manifest into a working relationship in the future. But it is certainly nice to see Abiteboul back in the paddock.

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