Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul says the presence of the French Grand Prix provides “extra pressure and extra motivation” for the manufacturer.
This weekend marks the return of the French Grand Prix after a decade-long absence, with Paul Ricard hosting its first Formula 1 event since 1990.
Renault returned to F1 as a full works team in 2016 and has outlined its long-term goal to return to a title-winning position, having improved from ninth to sixth last year.
The manufacturer has moved up the standings further in 2018, currently holding fourth, and Abiteboul is relishing the opportunity for the team to display its gains on home soil.
“We are at an early stage of our journey so a win is probably not on the cards, but as a French team, we know we have extra pressure to perform well at our home race,” said Abiteboul.
“But the race on home soil also gives us extra motivation to pull together and work well.
“We head to Circuit Paul Ricard on the back of a positive result in Montréal, where we demonstrated, once more, our excellent team spirit.
“We recovered from a difficult start to the weekend to take 10 points and a healthy step forward in the Constructors’ Championship.
“We also continue our established development plan on the chassis side, so it will be about maintaining this momentum for this very important race in the context of the team’s reconstruction.
“We need to match the teamwork we saw in Canada, and exemplify this level of passion and pride in France. We can’t wait.”
Added Nico Hulkenberg: “It’s been a long time coming for Renault, 10 years since their last race on home soil, so I’m carrying that extra level of motivation to do the job proud on track.
“I know how much this means to the staff members of the team.”
