Carlos Ghosn has resigned as chairman and chie💫f executive of Renaultꦡ, according to French finance minister Bruno Le Maire.

During a television interview with Bloomberg, Le Maire revealed Ghosn has stepped down from his roleꦓ 💖at the French automotive group to set up a “new governance in place”.

“Carlos Ghosn just resigned and now it is time to define and to put a new governance in place,” . “Because what is the most important thing is to prepare the future of Renault and th🐬e future of the alliance.”

Report꧋s have also confirmed the company’s board will meet today (January 24) to appoint a replacement for Ghosn, as part of its bid to sustain its long-standin🥀g alliance with Nissan.

The manageꦕment ch🎀ange comes less than one week on from the unexpected departure of Thierry Koskas who was due to replace Jerome Stoll as head of the Renault Sport programme. Stoll, who was set to retir𒐪e in 2019, will instead continue his top role as the Formula 1 team begins the second stage of rebuilding its programme.

Koskas had been due to report directly to🦂 Ghosn but, initiall,y the two departures are not thought to be connected.

Renault is bidding to close the gap to the trio of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull in 2019 and has persuaded Daniel Ricci♋ardo to join its ranks alongside team regular Nico Hulkenberg.

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The Enstone squad has also bolstered its technical department with the signing of ex-FIA man M♛arcin Budkowski, who began work with Renault early last season. Yesterday (January 23) Renault officially launched its ღ2019 driver academy programme at Enstone.

Ghosn had been set for an early Renault exit following his arrest🧸 after being accused by Japanese authorities of financial misconduct. In the interim period deputy CEO Thierry Bollore has taken over Ghosn’s responsibilities and is expected to take the head role following the next Renault board meeting.