Renault Sport F1, the Formula 1 division of Renault, has announced that Jean-Michel Jalinier will become its President from 1 January 2012.

Jalinier replaces Bernard Rey, who is leaving the company to pursue a new opportunity. Mr. Jalinier will report directly to the chairman and chief executive officer of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, Carlos Ghosn, and will take responsibility for the strategic operation of Renault Sport F1 as it prepares for the 2012 F1 season and the challenge of the new engine formula due to come into force in 2014.

He is a graduate of the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts et Metiers, with a PHD in mechanical engineering and a Doctorate in Sciences. He joined Renault in 1985 and has held different posts within the Group, notably in the plants of Cleon and Flins. He became General Manager of the cooperation with General Motors and Vehicle Program General Manager of the Trafic in the LCV Division in 1996 before becoming Country General Manager for Renault Russia in 2003 and President of Renault do Brasil in 2009.

Bernard Rey took responsibility of the Renault F1 Team in 2007 and became President of Renault Sport F1 following its creation in 2010. Mr Rey joined Renault in 1969 and joined the Purchasing Department in the early eighties. He later joined the vehicle project management department before being appointed International Purchasing Director for the Group. Mr. Rey then enjoyed a spell in Japan with Nissan as Vice President in charge of the Purchasing Strategy Department. On April 2004, he was appointed Senior Vice President, CEO Office and Nissan motorsport, reporting to Carlos Ghosn, and on 1 April 2007, was appointed Senior Vice President, Renault CEO Office before moving to Renault's motorsport division.

"All at Renault Sport F1 would like to thank Bernard for his valuable contribution to Renault's participation in Formula 1," said Jean-Francois Caubet, managing director of Renault Sport F1. "He has represented the interests of the teams at Enstone and latterly at Viry to the very highest levels of Renault, ensuring the continued support of the board. We wish him well in his new ventures.

"We would like to extend a warm welcome to Jean-Michel. His knowledge of the Renault-Nissan group plus his keen interest in Formula 1 and motorsport will serve us well as we move forward to the next phase of Renault's participation in the sport; four teams from 2012 onwards and the change in engine regulations in 2014."