Renault may delay Budkowski start date until April amid rivals' concerns

Renault Formula 1 chief Cyril Abiteboul has confirmed talks are ongoing with the FIA regarding Marcin Budkowski's start date with the team, whose gardening leave may be doubled in a bid to ease some concerns from rival teams.

Ex-FIA technical chief Budkowski was announced as Renault's new executive director on Friday, having been subject to complaints from a number of rival teams in Malaysia given he has been privy to details about their car designs and plans in his previous role.

Multiple team bosses felt Budkowski's planned stint away of just three months was not long enough, and Abiteboul confirmed that talks are ongoing to potentially double it and allay some of these fears.

"There’s been a lot of talk about [his gardening leave], not from us. We always made it clear we would not want to be aggressive in relation to that," Abiteboul said.

"From a contract perspective, he could be available as soon as early next year, but we’ve had constructive discussions with the FIA and I think we are close to reaching an agreement on a start date that would make everyone be comfortable: early April, which is basically twice his gardening provision which has been discussed.

"I think it’s not completely confirmed yet, but that’s something we are completely prepared to entertain as far as we are concerned."

Mercedes F1 technical chief James Allison supported an extended period of gardening leave, but that it was too late to enforce any changes within the Budkowski deal.

"If an FIA employee leaves and re-joins a team, you would wish I think to have somewhat longer notice period than three months," Allison said.

"I think probably everyone on the FIA's side and teams' side would say that.

"But this isn't the situation today. I guess we'll all just swallow it and get on with it."