Renault Appoint Bob Bell as New Team Principal

Renault have finally appointed their new team manager for their F1 operations in the person of Bob Bell. Following Flavio Briatore's departure amid the crash-gate scandal, the French manufacturer decided to promote their former technical director into re-organizer of the entire Enstone based outfit.

The move will however be temporary, as Bell will remain head of the British team until the end of 2009. Renault did not make any comments about who will take the job in 2010. While being team principal, Bell will also become chief technical officer at Enstone. In addition, Renault have also appointed Jean-François Caubet, currently director of marketing and communications, as the team's new managing director.

“They will both report to Bernard Rey, President of the Renault F1 Team. Bob Bell will attend all the remaining races of the season and will be the team's spokesperson on all sporting and technical matters,” said a statement from Renault late yesterday.

“The Renault F1 Team is now ready to concentrate on the future and wishes to stress that no further comments or statements will be issued relating to the events of Singapore 2008,” added the press release.

Bell debuted in Formula One in 1982, at McLaren. He joined Renault in 1997 at Flavio Briatore's managed Benetton team, after which he decided to take on a new challenge with Eddie Jordan's outfit. Six years ago, Bell returned to Renault as technical director, a position that he maintained until this year.