Daniel Ricciardo says a faster rate of development is crucial for Renault in 2019 if it is to achieve its aim of reeling in Formula 1’s top three teams.
Renault has steadily improved since returning to the sport full-time in 2016, classifying ninth, then sixth, and then fourth last season, as part of its long-term plan to emerge as a title contender.
But it still faced a large chasm, regularly more than a lap in race distance, to Formula 1’s top three teams – Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
It was also embroiled in a season-long battle with Haas over fourth, and at stages was struggling to contend for points amid a lack of substantial development with its R.S.18.
Renault’s recruitment of Ricciardo is regarded as the next stage in the team’s plans, but the Australian has emphasised that in-season progress will need to be stronger.
“I’d like to think we are at the front of [the midfield] but there is no hard evidence yet that we are,” explained Ricciardo.
“Our objective first and foremost is to be fourth or better, but it is really to try and hone in on that gap to the top three.
“It is big so it is not going to happen overnight, but absolutely the target this year is to close it in, close it in, and just try to develop the car.
“I know last year, speaking to Nico and seeing how the team performed last year, that the rate of development was not always as fast as they would have liked.
“So that is another thing this year, just to try and understand what the car needs, but also to see it start to happen, and happen a bit quicker.
“The team is building the infrastructure and all that, it is expanding, so they are addressing these things. That will also dictate how much we can pull away or catch the others.”
