"Ludicrous" to say Renault can compete for titles

Renault's technical chief Marcin Budkowski claims it is "ludicrous" to say that his team can compete with the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull for the titles as early as next season.

Many have tipped Renault to be able to compete again with the newly-signed Daniel Ricciardo coming into their ranks for next season and their impressive power unit.

Renault currently sit fourth in the constructors' championship and that was their ambition at the start of the season.

But Budkowski believes that there is still a lengthy period before they can even think about competing with the "big three".

"Obviously I hope it will be different, but we have to take things step by step," Budkowski admitted. "We are 1.5 seconds off the top guys, and if I was sat here thinking we are going to recover that against people like Mercedes and Ferrari, these massive organisations, with super competent people, (I would be wrong).

"We have grown over the last two years, but they have had structures with 900 people for many years. Stability has been a benefit to them, so it would be ludicrous for me to say we are going to beat them next year."

Budkowski does believe that Renault can eventually compete with the bigger organisations, but believes there will be a better chance of it when the new rules are present in 2021.

"Our objective is to continue progressing strongly, and to be honest, reducing that gap is a real achievement," the Renault chief added. "I certainly hope we can fight much closer to them in 2020. But I am not going to make any predictions because it would be unreasonable.

"2021 is a potential change of regulations, if that is confirmed, and we have to see that as an opportunity. Every potential change is an opportunity and a risk, from our point of view and it is proper reset of the regulations it is favourable to us if it's a fresh start."