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Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul has said that Daniel Ricciardo will not be provided with a race-winning car until at least the 2020 season. Ricciardo will join the French squad next year, departing Red Bull where he has raced for the past five seasons.
Renault is a resurging outfit, having re-joined the grid as a works team back in 2016. It is aiming to return to title-winning ways, but say it will be at least the 2021 season before it can compete at the very top. But Abiteboul thinks the team can win races in two years time.
"With Ricciardo, the big objective is to fight for the title in 2021, but we hope that he can start winning races in 2020," he told France's Auto Hebdo. "But I have also realised that these 29, 30-year-old drivers - and it's the same thing with Nico (Hulkenberg) - they not only want to drive but they aspire to something else. It's not the same with everyone, but I do believe it is with these two guys."
Renault has made drastic improvements since re-joining the grid two years. On its return in 2016, it bagged just eight points throughout the entire season. But now, after 12 races in 2018, it has already racked up 82 points. Abiteboul thinks that Ricciardo's decision to join is a reflection on how much it is progressing.
"His commitment to us proves our will to accelerate the catching-up process to the top teams," he told Auto Motor und Sport. "It's also a recognition of the work we have done over the past two and a half years. Daniel's talent and charisma are a big bonus for us. We have to repay that trust by providing him with the best possible car."
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (2)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I hope the are in the mix sooner. They have a good chance next year with Red Bull probably dropping out of the top 3
boudy
Posts: 1,168
I think they might close up on the top 3 but I don't know what the order is in the top 3 next season. At the moment it looks like Ferrari is on the up and Mercedes going down in ranking. The Redbull situation is an interesting one since we don't know how much investment is made during this year to get ready for next year. I just can't see Redbull tie up with Honda if they can't see their position improve.
Renault has been improving however not at the rate of Ferrari so they are still losing ground. They might move forward since their line-up in 2019 will be pretty solid.
They are still missing a lot of top end power and I don't believe it's just 10kw aka 16BHP as Cyril stated. Maybe its between power modes where Renault there is this kind of difference is i.e. Renault running mode 9 and Ferrari running mode 7.