Renault F1 team boss Cyril Abiteboul claims the French outfit clearly has the "fourth best engine-chassis-driver combination" on the 2018 grid following their sixth-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Nico Hulkenberg finished sixth, ahead of Renault customer team McLaren, with only two Red Bulls, two Mercedes and a Ferrari placed higher, whilst Carlos Sainz Jr. was ninth, behind a limping Sebastian Vettel.
Although Renault are fifth in the Constructors' Standings, three points adrift of McLaren, Abiteboul believes his squad is better equipped than its Woking-based opponent.
"We had the same result in China as Bahrain just one week before, but the feeling after Shanghai was almost entirely positive rather than lucky," he said ahead of the fourth round in Azerbaijan this weekend.
"In a straight fight against our competitors, we confirmed that we currently have the fourth best engine-chassis-driver combination on the grid.
"This is what we must carry forward and target at every race and the priorities are clear for both sides of Renault Sport Formula One Team at Enstone and Viry."
Abiteboul is hopeful of further progress at the first "European" race of the season in Baku, where Renault will introduce its first major upgrade package.
"Baku will mark the start of the next phase of our season push," he explained. "We will debut some new chassis upgrades, specifically on the wings and bargeboards, which will be followed on the engine side in Barcelona.
"We are confident that the combination of these developments can allow us to maintain our performance. We need to remain focussed on making every single element work."
