Renault Formula 1 boss Cyril Abiteboul is keen to see Renault performing at a higher level on track in order to gain the respect of the sport’s main stakeholders, thus increasing their chances of joining the Strategy Group.
The group currently consists of Williams, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull. Force India sit on the group this year following their fourth place in the constructors’ championship in 2016, but Abiteboul is keen to supplant them and sit within the group for 2018.
Renault managed to achieve some of the financial guarantees it asked for with its return as a fully fledged works outfit in 2016, having worked hard with former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone. However, the French team is still a long way from its rivals in terms of finances.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Abiteboul said: “In fairness to Bernie and anyone else in the sport, the respect comes with success.
“We will deserve the respect when we are successful, and that’s what I’m constantly explaining to the people here.
“We’re not part of the Strategy Group, but firstly we were not there when the Strategy Group was set up, and there is a ‘hot’ seat, which is currently occupied by Force India, and if we want to be in the Strategy Group, we know what we have to do.”
Winning two consecutive titles in 2005 and 2006, Renault once led the way in Formula 1, finally toppling the domination of Ferrari in the early 2000s. Abiteboul is refusing to be beaten down and is under no illusions of the task facing his team to once again be heard within the sport.
“I’m not the type of guy to constantly feel sorry for myself and our position.
“Bernie had his opinion about Renault, but when Renault was winning back in 2005 and 2006 with very successful drivers, and also a well-recognised team principal [Flavio Briatore], Bernie was extremely respectful of Renault, our voice was counting.
“If we want this situation to happen again, we know what we have to do.”
