Patrick Faure (French pronunciation:[patʁikfɔʁ]), born May 12, 1946, is a French businessman. His best-known role was in motorsport, asPresident ofRenault Sport andRenault F1 Team.[1]
Faure was born inPérigueux (Dordogne),France, but spent his youth inParis. He had a strong relationship with his father,Maurice Faure, a formerCahors city mayor and minister of various French governments.[2][3]
He studied law and politics at theLycée Louis-le-Grand before being awarded a place in theÉcole Nationale d’Administration. He graduated in 1972 and worked for three years as a civil administrator of theCaisse des Dépôts et Consignations. In 1975, he moved to the private sector and joined the precision engineering companyLabinal. In 1977, he became Chairman of Gelbon.[1][4]
In 1977, he was hired byRenault asToulouse's regional manager. After that, he took over the sales department. He increased his importance within Renault’s structure over the years, and he was manager of RenaultAustria (1981) and RenaultUK (1982). In 1985, he was named head of the Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Department. In January 1986 he was appointed a member of Renault’s board of directors and President of Renault Sport. The motorsport company was in a complex situation, and Faure decided to end Renault's Formula One involvement. He orderedBernard Dudot to develop a new 3.5-litre normally aspiratedengine. When theturbos were banned, Renault returned toGrand Prix racing.[4] In 1988, he was named Secretary General for the Renault Group. In 1991, he was officially appointed chairman and CEO of Renault Sport. In 1998, he became chairman and CEO ofRenault VI. In 2001, he was named Executive Vice President of Renault and President of Renault F1 Team. In late 2004, he left the Renault’s board of directors. As of January 2005, he was concentrating his efforts on the Renault racing team. He announced his retirement in March 2006 during a radio interview at the conclusion of theBahrain Grand Prix[5] and was replaced as president of the Renault F1 team byAlain Dassas on April 3, 2006.[1]
Since 1993 he has been a member ofVinci SA'sBoard of Directors. His appointment was set to end in 2013.[6] He is also a member of the Board of Directors ofCofiroute, amotorways'concessionaire which is owned by Vinci.[7] He held several appointments in other companies, such as chairman of the Board of Directors of Ertico, Chairman of the Association France-Amériques, Director of ESL & Network and of Waterslim Luxembourg.[6]
On October 10, 2006, the nuclear energy companyAreva, sponsor of theFrench team for the2007 America’s Cup, hired Faure as a project consultant, because of his experience in organising large sport operations.[8] He remains as a company consultant but is now retired.[6]
