Speaking at the launch of the new Renault R30, new team principal Eric Boullier took questions from the media and made clear that the team aim to be challenging for podium positions as soon as possible...
Eric, you’ve been Team Principal for just over a month. How have you settled into the team?
"I’ve received a very warm welcome from everybody. Of course, the last four weeks have been very busy for the entire team, but I’ve been impressed with the motivation and work ethic of the factory. Now that the new season is approaching, we must keep focussed and push hard to deliver a strong performance from the first race. For me, the human side of the job is by far the most important."
It’s early days in the season, but what objectives do you have in mind for 2010?
"We clearly want to be back at the front and capable of challenging for podiums as soon as possible. It would be too optimistic to say we want to be there from race one, but the progress and simulations we have seen over the winter are encouraging. We also have the resources at Enstone to deliver good development steps during the season so that we continue to improve from race to race. The aim, then, is to fight regularly for the podium in the last part of the season."
The first race in Bahrain is just over a month away. Are you looking forward to it?
"Absolutely, it will be our first chance to see where we stand compared with our competitors in real racing conditions. We can go to Bahrain safe in the knowledge that the entire team has put in an enormous effort over the winter and determined to convert all that hard work into a strong performance on the racetrack. I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all the team members for their efforts over the last few months. I’m convinced that they’ll pay off on the racetrack."