Renault chasing Constructors' podium
Credit: PlanetF1.com (www.planetf1.com)
Eric Boullier admits the World title may be a step too far for Renault in 2011 but he doesn't see why they can't finish in the top four or even three.
After a dismal 2009 Championship, Renault entered this year's campaign having undergone several major changes. Renault sold a majority stake in the F1 team to Luxembourg-based investment company Genii Capital, who brought Boullier in as the new team boss.
Added to that, the team also had a completely new driver line-up with Robert Kubica teaming up with Russian rookie Vitaly Petrov.
The changes yielded a marked improvement in Renault's form as the team achieved three podium finishes on their way to fifth place in the Constructors' Championship.
Next season, though, Boullier wants at least fourth place.
"Ambition for next year is to clearly be able to position our cars on the podium more regularly, which would allow us to grab maybe some wins," he told Renault's official podcast.
"If we can put the team as a 'podium fighter' for the Constructors' Championship I will be very happy.
"Eighth (place) last year, fifth this year, but clearly if we could be fourth - or even better in the top three - that would be very great."
Boullier is optimistic that his team's decision to start early on their 2011 challenger while still developing this year's car will pay dividends next season.
"I think that we had a very early start for the new car and because we have, I hope, learned from the past mistakes, especially for the KERS, it should be promising and we should get some advantage by having very well prepared for the next year," he said.
However, next year's Championship will herald several changes to the Formula One regulations, most notably the switch from Bridgestone to Pirelli rubber.
Boullier, though, is adamant Renault's progress will not be hampered by the changes - but nor does he think they will sudden turn the traditional F1 order on its head.
"I don't think it will level the field. I would rather say it can create some strange surprises," he said.
"Obviously it is new tyres, (but) even if we have like every team on the grid a group of engineers working flat out on this you can expect some surprises in the first couple of races that some teams will understand the tyres and how they work.
"It's not levelling the playing field; it's creating more dispersion actually.
"But I think all the F1 teams are so professional that it will stay the same, or be back to normal very early."
Credit: PlanetF1.com (www.planetf1.com)
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