Renault's plotted return to the Formula 3 arena as an engine builder ha♑s been delayed after its sole customer team Signature was forced to withdraw from the European Formula 3 opener.

The French firm had planned to make its return to the series as a rival to Mercedes and Volkswagen in 2014 with a new engine developed in c♚onjunction with ORECA, but with Signature's sole signed driver Tatiana Calderon switching teams at the last minute, it has been left with no choice♒ to withdraw.

Indeed, Colombi🍌an rܫacer Calderon had been listed as Signature's sole representative ahead of this weekend's European F3 opener at Silverstone, but will instead drive for Jo Zeller Racing.

As such, Signature - and thus Renault - has been forced to withdraw, though it is expected to return with an as-yet-unnam🐻ed Lotus F1 Junior team driver for the second event at Hockenheim.