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Renault set for September decision on drivers
Renault team principal Fred Vasseur expects to make a decision on the team’s 2017 driver line-up next month, rather than let matters drag on until the end of the season.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Aug 19, 2016, 12:05 PM
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The Frenchman believes that getting the right drivers in place for Renault’s long-term ambitions is a 'key' decision, and is eager to push on and sort the situation out.
While current drivers Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer have not been ruled out for 2017, there are a host of other candidates on the shortlist, including Sergio Perez, Esteban Ocon, Stoffel Vandoorne and Valtteri Bottas.
In an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, Vasseur said that it was essential the team put in place drivers that had the potential to grow with the team into championship contenders.
"We need to have an open mind on the drivers' position," said Vasseur. "I will discuss this with the team and I will take a decision in September. I am fully convinced it is a key point in the project, not only for the speed on track.
"It is about motivation and for the leadership positions they [the drivers] have with the guys [in the team]. We have nearly 1000 people between Viry and Enstone, so we need to have a really strong leadership if we want to get the best from everybody."
New generation
Vasseur has long been keen for Renault to find drivers it can grow with, and says there is little point in the outfit picking out a current top-line star who is near the end of their career.
"I know perfectly that you have to build a big team around the drivers," he explained. "I don't want to release the pressure but we know that it's a mid-term project.
"We know that we have to look after the drivers who are 18-22, so we can wait on young drivers just like I debate on young engineers - because I need to build up the team for the future.
"I don't want to attract some guys with experience that will stop in two years. It can't make sense. If you look back at the success stories of the past, Renault was built around [Fernando] Alonso, Ferrari was with Michael [Schumacher], Red Bull with Seb [Vettel]. It's my philosophy and I'm comfortable with this."
Ocon link
Renault reserve Ocon, who is seeing out the season for Manor, is favourite to land one of the seats next year – with Vasseur believing that there are a host of young drivers good enough to step up.
"I won't put only Esteban and Stoffel in to the loop - because I think that we have a new generation of drivers who for sure will win the championship in the future!
"I know some of them because I worked with them in the past and they are used to the new technology, and they are used to the tyres. It's also an advantage for drivers coming from GP2/GP3. They are used to the Pirelli, they did their whole career with Pirelli so I think it's an advantage."
No pressure
Vasseur has said, however, that Renault would be ready to wait a little longer to find the man it wants to build a potential championship around if it has to, because it will not be in a position to fight at the front for at least a few more years.
"We could postpone [the decision] for one season, because we don't have to find a driver for the next five years now," he explained.
"To be honest, we also have to consider that our two current drivers are doing a good job. Jo is a complete rookie and for a rookie he's improving, while Kevin, as someone who didn't drive last year, he's consistent and has scored points."
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