Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsRenault

Renault targeting wins in 2018

Renault is looking long-term for success following its return as a constructor, targeting wins in 2018.

The French manufacturer took over the Lotus team in the winter following a review of its involvement in F1, while it will also continue to supply Red Bull with power units this season. Managing director Cyril Abiteboul says there is patience within Renault as it rebuilds the team, giving it another two years before targeting podiums and victories.

"The goal set to get gold is 2018," Abiteboul said. "We know it is a two or three year job to get to the podium. We know the podium is not all golden but it is a good start.

"That is the timing we have given ourselves which is already long but we are committed to the sport and we have a lot of knowledge on what its takes. We are very impressed by the level the bar has been raised in F1.

"We are aware of the level needed with the different engines but also on the chassis side we were amazed by the progress made by everyone since we were last an F1 team. People don’t give enough credit to Formula 1 in general about the job they are doing."

Renault finished just outside the points in the opening race of the season, with Jolyon Palmer 11th and team-mate Kevin Magnussen in 12th place.

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.