Total group in F1

Since the return of the French team in 2002 as a full-fledged team, the colors of the car emblazoned with the Losange have always been original. The turquoise blue and yellow from 2002 to 2006 were very popular with the fans of the Enstone-based team.

Then, from 2007 to 2008, with ING as the main sponsor, the orange and white replaced the turquoise blue of the cigarette brand Mild Seven. A color just as original but much less appreciated.

The 2009 season might depart from the rule of these colors despite the partnership with ING still being in effect. The Total Fina group, which acquired Elf a few years ago, indeed wants to regain a foothold in motorsport and could increase its investment in the French team.

That is to say that in addition to the initial work, Total would like to invest financially in the ING Renault F1 Team. This would mean that the Elf logos would disappear to make way for those of Total. But that’s not all…

It would turn out that the group would impose its color on the future car of the Losange: red. After Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota, Toro Rosso, and Force India, Renault would also turn to red.

In these times of crisis, an investment from Total would only be beneficial for Renault’s F1 team. However, it would likely involve a significant change of livery for Renault, which the press officer for the French team did not deny on their official site.

The world’s number one in steelmaking, Arcelor-Mittal, which has been in negotiations for almost a year with Renault F1 to display its logos in 2009, would also take its place in red. This red would replace the dark blue on the front and rear wings of the car.

The Renault team has always been discreet about potential sponsors, but Total really wants to get involved in Formula 1. The company proved it notably in Monaco during the meeting with the FIA about two weeks ago when it stated its intention to help F1 reduce costs and expressed its readiness to assist the FIA in this matter.

The answers regarding these possible agreements between Total and Renault / Renault and Arcelor-Mittal will be given during the presentation of the R29 on January 19th.