Renault deal provides McLaren with chassis benchmark - Ojjeh

McLaren's Mansour Ojjeh says its engine deal with Renault will put the team in compare mode with Red Bull Racing in 2018 with regard to the quality of it chassis.

Ojjeh, McLaren's oldest shareholder, is looking forward to next season's challenge after its painful and fruitless period with Honda.

The team has embarked on a new direction with the French manufacturer, and one which will offer a direct point of reference.

"Put it this way, it's a different motivation," he told Motorpsort.com.

"It's something where we have a benchmark to compare ourselves to, so that makes things also more challenging if you want.

"You want to be at that benchmark, or better than that benchmark, we have to make sure we get it right. So it's a new challenge that we look forward to taking on.

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"But what's going to happen next year, you never know. Next year is next year. Next year we have three engines [for the season], next year we have to work on reliability.

"There's a lot of things that change. It's a constant moving ground, nothing stays still."

Ojjeh is obviously confident in Renault's ability to deliver the goods, and points to the manufacturer's DNA which served as the foundation for several world titles and its past success in F1.

"Don't forget what they did in the turbo years," adds the 65 year-old McLaren man.

"I remember because I was a competitor of theirs. They've been here for a long time.

"We're very happy, and I think they're very happy to be with us, which is important. Both want each other, which is great."

After three untypical lean years, the worst period in its history, McLaren now aspires to return to its former glory.

"We have to get this on the rails. As a sports enthusiast, and as a sports man being here for so long, jeez, we want to win.

"This is our DNA, we're here to win," Ojjeh reminds us.

"We've been here before, and don't forget Ferrari stayed 20 years without winning a championship. People forget that. But we'll be back."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.