Renault is not expecting to move out of the midfield Formula 1 fight in 2017, according to team principal Frederic Vasseur.
Having taken over Lotus at the end of 2015, Renault suffered a difficult year of recovery in 2016 with Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer.
Focus throughout the season was on building the team back up and expanding it, with steady progress being made.
Despite several key hiring’s recently, Vasseuer doesn’t believe it will be enough to move the team significantly up the order in 2017.
“2017 is a fantastic opportunity for us to take a significant step forward for many reasons,” he is quoted as saying by Racer.
“The change of regulations could mean quite a shakeup in the order of relative competitiveness, plus the fruits of our expansion will be ramping up.
“We made an early start to developing next year's car with this in mind.
“Whilst 2017 should see a good step forward, we are realistic in our expectations as we know that we won't leapfrog the midfield in a single season. However we are all pushing for a big improvement in competitiveness.”
Looking ahead to 2017, with Renault fielding Nico Hulkenberg and Palmer, Vasseuer added: “Next year promises a fantastic show.
“The cars will be faster and more aggressive-looking. The tires will be wide. The action will be tremendously exciting. We certainly expect to be in the thick of it from the very beginning.”
