Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsRenault

Vasseur not comparing Renault performance to rivals

Renault racing director Frédéric Vasseur admitted that the French team is not currently focused on its relative performance, as its priority is currently to get its 2016 contender on its rails while building the team's foundation.

"To be honest, we've had so many things to do so far that we didn't spend time trying to imagine where we could be relative to others," Vasseur explained.

"We knew it would be very tough as we only took over the team at the end of December, and at that stage, at the first meeting we had at Enstone, the target we had for Barcelona was unexpected.

"We're taking it step by step, we're improving and we have to continue like this."

Vasseur insisted that it wasn't where the team starts the season that counts but rather where it will end up nine months down the road.

"At the launch, Carlos Ghosn gave us a road map, so we know we have to go. It doesn't better where we start, we just have to reach our target at the end."

The Renault team boss also revealed that the very short lead time into the new season since the manufacturer took over Lotus means that the team was currently marginal on spare parts.

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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.