Renault to pull out this year

The French marque has decided to end its BTCC association and its link with Williams Touring Car Engineering (WTCE).

The team has enjoyed remarkable success since entering BTCC in 1993, including a driver's title with Alain Menu in 1997 and manufacturers' championships in '95 and '97.

Spokesman for Renault, Tim Jackson, said the team decided to quit the touring series after its contract with WTCE came to an end.

'We always had in mind an 'x' number of years,' he said.

'We set our goals and we achieved these so we are cancelling our future BTCC plans for the forseeable future.

'It's a sad day for us. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Touring Cars.'

Renault UK Managing Director Benoit Marzloff praised the team for its 38 wins and thanked the TOCA organisation, which runs the BTCC.

He said, 'TOCA has provided Renault with the best possible platform to market its image and that of Laguna. I know the TOCA series will continue from strength to strength.'

Frank Williams, whose Williams team has become synonymous with Renault in both BTCC and F1 said, 'The Touring Car paddock has seen great technological advancement since we first became involved and I hope we helped play a part in that.'

'Renault's decision to withdraw will, I know, have been taken only after a lot of deep thought. Its cars will be greatly missed on the BTCC grid.

'We are however, extremely proud of what we have achieved with Renault over the past five years, and we are pleased to have had such a successful association.'

Renault has denied speculation it may return with a new Laguna model in 12 months time.

A spokesman said, 'Let me stress now that this is not the case - our withdrawal is for the forseeable future - but is there is the possibility of a comeback in a few years time, we will consider it.'

The team's withdrawal from BTCC will not affect its inclusion as part of the TOCA package of Renault's new Formula Renault and Clio Cup championships to which they are committed for the next three seasons.