Renault considering pulling out of F1 over being criticized for engines

Renault is considering pulling out of Formula One after Red Bull criticized it's engines following their heavy defeat in the season opening Australian Grand Prix.

However, the French firm, which supplies engines to Red Bull and Toro Rosso, is also contemplating buying a team and becoming a constructor again.

Renault's chief, Cyril Abiteboul, said that they are looking at a lot of options, including getting out of Formula One if it's bad for Renault's reputation, the BBC reported.

Renault engines powered Red Bull to four successive world championships, before Mercedes won in 2014.

However, the manufacturer has faced criticism since Mercedes dominated the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on 15 March, with Red Bull finishing a lap down on winner and world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Abiteboul added that they believe that they are a credible player in the sport but insisted that one needs to think about what else they need to do on top of what they already are. But he said that right now, the focus remains on the engine.

Renault only supplies engines to Red Bull and its sister team Toro Rosso after Caterham folded and Lotus switched to Mercedes.

Toro Rosso's team principal Franz Tost said that Renault buying his team would be a fantastic opportunity for the Italy-based team. He added that to be owned by a manufacturer would be exactly the step forward which the team needs.