Renault team principal Eric Boullier wants a better showing in coming years – Formula 1 news
Renault team principal Eric Boullier is targeting a much improved performance in 2012.
Boullier explained that the team is looking to fight for the championship within the next three years and targeting at least a fourth place finish. Renault has been working towards improvement for some time now, but they have made a lot of changes for 2012.
The team finished 5th in 2010 but was not able to improve their performance during 2011.
It has not been a fruitful season for the Renault team- soon to be renamed Lotus for 2012- and they understand they have to make some changes to be competitive enough to aim for higher positions.
Luring Kimi Raikkonen out of Formula 1 retirement was a part of that plan. Although it remains to be seen how fruitful that will work out for Renault as it is yet unsure how fit Raikkonen is for Formula 1. They also added the youngster Romain Grosjean removing
Vitaly Petrov who had a contract till the end of 2012 with the team.
Grosjean has shown good potential in the little chances he has had to show his ability at the first practice sessions of the Abu Dhabi and Brazilian Grands Prix. He also won the GP2 series in 2011 which further adds to the credibility of his inclusion in
place of Petrov.
“It's a challenging mission,” Boullier said. “Romain has been with us for quite a few months now and he has had several aims to achieve from the personal, professional and sporting points of view. He had to find his footing again in a team which he left
in what were certainly not the most reassuring circumstances.”
“He achieved all these aims one by one until we decided to give him the opportunity to drive for us in free practice in the last two races of the season,” he further added.
It will be interesting to see how much Renault improve in the 2012 season with the changes they have made. Especially watching Raikkonen drive in Formula 1 after two years is going to be a sight fans would be delighted to witness.
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