Renault Aims for Top 4 Finish in 2010

Renault's reshuffle of their entire Formula One organization prior to the 2010 season seems to be working just fine, as the Enstone-based team scored their first podium only 2 races into the new campaign. And the result is even more resounding as it was recorded thanks to a strong, rather than lucky, performance from leading driver Robert Kubica.

Team principal Eric Boullier admitted his enthusiasm over the Australian Grand Prix result, where the Polish driver went on to finish runner-up to McLaren's Jenson Button, while holding off the two Ferraris driven by Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso. The Frenchman also emphasized the importance of having such a committed driver in his lineup for his maiden season in F1 (as a team principal).

“Robert is ideal for us. He is a pure racer, like Fernando (Alonso), and so he fits very well with the team. It is a great motivation for the whole team to see a driver still working with the engineers late into the night - pushing and demanding. If the engineers can follow those demands, and the driver can put that onto the track, then you will have that result,” said Boullier, according to F1 official site.

Additionally, the Frenchman made a bold statement ahead of this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix, insisting that he doesn't eye a head-to-head battle against Force India-Mercedes, but an entry into the Top 4 teams (which makes him the first manager to admit going after a P4 finish in the 2010 manufacturers' classification).

“To be honest, we have to work much harder, be much more efficient and aim for P4. We don’t care about P5,” added the Renault team principal, while reckoning that “we have a different way of managing the team” since Renault withdrew their majority support of the outfit.