Renault not replacing Vasseur - Abiteboul

Managing director of Renault Cyril Abiteboul has said that there will not be a replacement for Fredric Vasseur, who left his post as team principal last month.

Vasseur reportedly left his job due to disagreements in the management system at Renault, just one year after he took up the role. While it was suggested that  Cyril Abiteboul would take over, he has since denied this. 

When asked if he was taking Vasseur's role, he said: "No. But I will be at every race and attend the meetings of the team principals. I will ensure there is harmony in the group and between the factories in Enstone and Viry Chatillon.

"Alan Permane and Ciaron Pilbeam will fulfill the tasks on the pitwall very well. The decision not to replace Frederic directly is because our current management is strong enough to shoulder the task."

Abiteboul will remain fulfilling his role as managing director, and is hoping for a better year in 2017 as they suffered a disappointing return to the grid in 2016. 

"We are not looking for excuses -- we want to take a step in 2017. On the other hand, the management needs to think about the medium and long term future. Our people must feel comfortable in the structure, because success depends on it," added Abiteboul.

"Our roadmap is that we want to go for the championship in 2020," he revealed. "If we want to get there, we have to be able to get podium places now and then in 2018. This means being in the midfield again this year. It is anything but easy, but we have legitimate hopes of being between places five and seven."

Asked if that will be enough to satisfy the paymasters and decision-makers on the Renault board, Abiteboul sounded relaxed.

"Renault is not new to the sport. We've been in formula one for 40 years, and when the decision was made to return, everyone knew it would be difficult. We have to prove that we are on the right trajectory and achieving our goals," he said.

Fergal Walsh