I can't believe how bad Renault are now compared to ten years ago. It was a completely different team back then but still, they're just embarrassing now.

It's not a Renault, it's a bancrupt remains of Lotus-Mercedes design from a team that didn't have money for team catering. Design was for a completely different power unit and I don't think much of development was done between January 2015 - January 2016. New regs for 2017 is a saving grace for the team. They might a be serious contender for 2018.

Why the hell did Renault leave in the first place? I don't get these companies, instead of maintaining a succesfull team they leave the sport. then a few years later they come back and have a huge mountain to climb and are spending money with no results to show for it and bad press.

Don't leave you idiots, just maintain your team that was in championship contention every few seasons. That's much more economicly friendly than quiting and returning every few years

What amazes me is how Red Bull can claim that Renault have made great progress with the power unit (in 2016) and the team are backing that up with solid results, beating Ferrari consistently, yet Renault have spent barely any tokens. Something doesn't add up with that.

New management love to completely cancel the previous regime's projects and start fresh as a statement no matter how well or badly the previous management's projects were going.

That's why relying on Manufacturers for the health of your series is naive at best, one board change or negative fiscal statement and they're gone and to hell with the health of your championship.