Exclusive – Cyril Abiteboul: We are on schedule with our overall roadmap
The general manager of the Renault Sport F1 Team answered our questions in the heart of the Monaco paddock. Satisfied with the current situation, Cyril Abiteboul intends to catch up with the Mercedes-Ferrari-Red Bull trio by 2020... with or without Red Bull as an engine customer.
Cyril, the Renault Sport F1 Team currently holds a strong fourth place in the constructors’ championship… As the general manager, what is your perspective on this start to the season?
« He is rather positive. Our season start meets our expectations. I think we haven’t stolen this position. But we must remain calm: we still have some reliability issues, including this weekend in Monaco. The engines are starting to accumulate kilometers. »
What have been the team’s greatest advances since the end of 2017?
They are everywhere. On the aerodynamics side, a new boss (note: his name has not yet been announced by the team) joined us last July. With him, the progress on the new car is significant. The same goes for the engine part: our performance group is running very well, and the reliability on the engine bench is improving. The whole set is gaining maturity.
A word on Carlos Sainz’s progress: after a difficult start to the season, the Spaniard secured a fifth
Place in Baku and a seventh place in Montmelo. How do you see his progression?
« Carlos was a talented driver at Toro Rosso. He still is at Renault: he was immediately in the game. Moreover, it allowed Nico (Hülkenberg) to raise his level of driving. I think we have a good dynamic with our two drivers challenging each other and pushing the team in the right direction. Carlos is still trailing by two to three tenths in pure performance behind Nico… But his approach to the situation is very calm, very professional… which can be surprising given his Latin side! He is tackling his progression tenth by tenth. It’s still a bit early to talk about it, but I would be happy to keep him next year. »
How important has Nico’s presence been in the team’s development since 2017?
« After our year zero in 2016, we wanted to build a solid, experienced lineup. Hence the idea to take Nico for a long-term contract. His contract expires at the end of 2019, with an option for 2020. The story can continue! »
« Our pair of drivers is homogeneous and performant! »
In terms of objectives, do you have high expectations for this weekend?
« I primarily want to continue consolidating our good current positions. I don’t want anything abnormal to happen. If the lead cars are eliminated, I wouldn’t want our direct competitors to benefit. I want a normal weekend: imagine if Haas or McLaren scores 40 points… you never know! Then, I want reliability. We are reaching the last cycle of the first engines of the season! So far, we’ve avoided problems. I want to reach the end of the cycle we set for ourselves. »
Do you think you will maintain the 4th place in the constructors’ standings by the end of the season?
« We will do everything for it! At the moment, our car is a bit slower than the Haas, but considering our developments, we can surpass it in pure performance between the French Grand Prix and the British Grand Prix. And don’t forget that the order of team competitiveness will be set by this summer. »
« With our experience, we can keep the fourth place among the constructors. »
Let’s talk engines now… Can you catch up to the performance level of Mercedes and Ferrari?
« The current regulation is incredible: even when fixed, we never reach the end of our possibilities! The goal is to match the best with next year’s engine. This year, we will get closer, at best. »
About the relationship with Red Bull Racing… Do you understand their expectations for their engine choice?
I understand that Red Bull wants to wait as long as possible… Now, I don’t work for them! I quickly need to know who I’m supplying for next year. Hence this deadline, set for early June. We’ve been working with Red Bull for 12 years, there have been ups and downs. We can extend this deadline by a few weeks, but by June, a decision must be made. Because we need to order parts for next year’s two teams.
On Red Bull’s engine choice for 2019: « They seem to understand: they had planned to decide by September. They now know they will have to make a decision by June, at the latest. »
Would Red Bull’s departure as a Renault engine customer be difficult to fill?
Their departure would primarily have an emotional impact after having worked with them so much. But it wouldn’t affect us all that much. What is essential is to have a customer team to accumulate more reliability… hence our contract with McLaren until 2020.
Is the Renault Sport F1 Team ahead of its overall schedule?
« We are on schedule with the set program. I read comments saying we lack ambition. But there is an incredible ability to forget the past: it took Red Bull and Mercedes 4 years to win. And Mercedes took over a team that was the reigning world champion (editor’s note: Brawn Grand Prix). On our side, we took over a team that was about to disappear off the radar. We have rebuilt it gradually, but it takes time. »
« Our bet is bold: we want to challenge the top teams in 2020-2021. »
From our special correspondent in Monaco
