Renault has confirmed that the ‘vast majority’ of its Formula 1 personnel at Enstone have been furloughed as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.
Renault splits its operations across Enstone, in the United Kingdom, and Viry-Chatillon, in France.
Both factories are currently observing shutdown periods in line with the guidelines set out by the FIA in response to the pandemic.
On Friday Renault confirmed that the bulk of its staff at Enstone have been furloughed until at least the end of May.
Under the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme the state is liable for 80 per cent of staff salaries, up to £2,500 per month; Renault has confirmed that it will top up any shortfalls to guarantee all staff members receive 80 per cent of their wage.
This also extends to Renault’s management group.
At Viry-Chatillon a part-time schedule will be in place for the next 12 weeks after agreement was reached with employee representatives, under the French working laws.
At a higher level it was confirmed this week that Groupe Renault’s financial dividend for 2019 has been cancelled while its Chairman and Interim CEO have taken 25 per cent pay cuts.
“The very difficult human and sanitary circumstances that we are experiencing and the strict lockdown in France and England, as well as in most of the Grand Prix-organising countries, do not yet allow us to measure the impact on our sport,” said Renault’s Formula 1 team boss Cyril Abiteboul.
“We therefore must use all the measures at our disposal to get through this prolonged period of uncertainty and inactivity as best as we can, while protecting the whole team we have built over the past four years.”
McLaren, Racing Point, Williams and Formula 1 itself has also furloughed staff.
Renault returned to Formula 1 as a works team at the start of 2016.
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