Patrick Faure
Patrick Faure | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 12, 1946 Périgueux, France |
| Occupation | Executive |
| Known for | President of Renault Sport and Renault F1 Team |
Patrick Faure (), born on May 12, 1946, is a notable French executive recognized primarily for his leadership as President of both Renault Sport and the Renault F1 Team.
Early career and education
Born in Périgueux, France, Patrick Faure was raised in Paris. He is the son of Maurice Faure, who served as mayor of Cahors and held ministerial positions in the government.
Faure pursued studies in law and political science at Lycée Louis-le-Grand before completing his education at the esteemed École Nationale d’Administration in 1972. Following three years working as a civil administrator at the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, he shifted to the private sector in 1975 by joining the precision engineering company Labinal. Two years later, in 1977, he was appointed Chairman of Gelbon.
Renault
Patrick Faure began his tenure at Renault in 1977 as regional manager based in Toulouse, subsequently advancing to lead the sales division. His career progressed with leadership roles managing Renault operations in Austria (1981) and the UK (1982). In 1985, he assumed responsibility for Public Affairs and Corporate Communications. By January 1986, Faure had joined Renault’s board and took on the presidency of Renault Sport. Confronted with difficulties in motorsport, he temporarily halted Renault’s participation in Formula One and spearheaded the creation of a new 3.5-litre naturally aspirated engine to comply with the turbo ban, facilitating Renault’s return to Grand Prix racing. He was named Secretary General of Renault Group in 1988. By 1991, he held the dual role of chairman and CEO of Renault Sport; later, in 1998, he became chairman and CEO of Renault VI. In 2001, Faure was promoted to Executive Vice President of Renault and President of the Renault F1 Team. He stepped down from the board at the end of 2004 to concentrate exclusively on managing the racing team and retired after the Bahrain Grand Prix in March 2006. His successor as Renault F1 president was Alain Dassas.
Beyond Renault
Since 1993, Faure has been a member of the Board of Directors for Vinci SA, concluding his term in 2013. He also served on the board of Cofiroute, a motorway concession company owned by Vinci. Additional positions include chairmanship of Ertico’s Board, leadership of Association France-Amériques, and directorships at ESL & Network as well as Waterslim Luxembourg.
On October 10, 2006, nuclear energy corporation Areva, sponsor of the French team for the 2007 America’s Cup, engaged Faure as a project consultant owing to his extensive experience managing major sports ventures. Although now retired, he continues to provide consultancy services to the company.