RBR had to split with Renault to be competitive again, no question about that. It's the way they did it so publicly that annoyed everyone when they kept throwing their toys out of the pram and always pinning everything at Renault when they could, which they also always did even when they were winning. It was the general lack of grace that left a bad taste.
I say they should get a good engine and get on with it. everyone puts everyone's backs up in this game.
Absolutely not. They're lucky to still be in the sport after the corner they painted themselves into last year. And they've ended up with the same engine they'd have had anyway but they've lost works status, this result (which isn't anything to write home about given their past successes) would've happened anyway without them dragging themselves and their engine supplier through the mud, it got them nowhere.
No must be about it, it's a shocker! If you read Palmer's interviews from after the race it seems they also don't know why it is so bad and seemingly getting worse from what was a reasonable performance base at the first race. That team is in trouble.
They'll get it sorted once the new investment starts to take effect. There's still some very good people at Enstone.
Take confidence in the fact that Renault/Lotus team in general have always massively in terms of performance. World champions 2005-6. Crap 2007-9. Not bad 2010. Crap 2011. Decent 2012-2013. Crap 2014-2015. Really crap 2016.
They're really not, I don't know what people expect right out the box, but Renault didn't complete the buyout until late last season and there'd have been no work done up until that point. They'll be in the process of re-staffing and they'll turn attention to next year's car very early, they have good facilities at Enstone, they'll be fine next season.
yes all, so this year they are in trouble....... As I said. as for future years let's wait and see, mainly on whether Renault can do something about the engine