F1 Teams Up In Arms as Ex FIA Technical Boss Joins Renault

Background

Marcin Budkowski was the FIA Technical department head until very recently. However, the FIA placed him on three months ‘gardening leave’. While serving under the FIA, he had extensive access to privileged technical information from teams and engine suppliers. This included R&D ideas that are typically run past the FIA before being put into production. He joined the FIA in October 2014. He progressed through various roles before becoming head of the technical department in February 2017. Prior to his FIA role, he had a few stint at various F1 teams

What Happened Now?

Rumours have been spreading that Budkowski is set to join the Renault F1 team. Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull among other teams held a meeting in this regard in the Sepang paddock on Friday. Their concern was that with Budkowski’s knowledge of the technical details of other teams, Renault could exploit it to their advantage.

As the F1 circus gathered in Malaysia, suspicions pointed to Budkowski having agreed a deal to join the Renault outfit once his three-month gardening leave period had ended. Renault were silent on the Budkowski situation on Friday, but rival teams are convinced that a deal is already in place for him to move to the French car manufacturer.

The teams are displeased about Budkowski being free to join a team only months after leaving the FIA. Sources say that they plan to add the matter to the agenda of the next F1 Strategy Group.

Their main issue was if the FIA were planning any secret developments, or designs that would be of interest to rivals. They fear that such plans could find their way into the hands of another team.

One senior source at a team said: “This is all about trust. We need to talk with the FIA about how we go forward from here, because we cannot give out information if there is a chance other teams can get hold of it. If there is that risk, then we will have to keep everything secret.”

The FIA has not confirmed Budkowski’s plans, but issued a short statement saying that his responsibilities have now been assumed by Whiting.