Renault must not "over-glorify" progress - Abiteboul

Renault endured a difficult 2015 as engine supplier to Red Bull and Toro Rosso, but will continue with the former squad at the same time it competes with its own works team, having taken over Lotus.

Although Abiteboul says Renault's engine is miles ahead of where it was at this point last year, he concedes there is still a long way to go.

"I don't want to take too much glory on that," he said of the progress made so far in the pre-season.

"I know it's fairly easy to be very happy, very satisfied with what we've done.

"But we need to put that away, we've done a good job, we're here, we look professional, we have nice jackets, there is a nice car, the performance looks good.

"But okay, let's put that away. We are in a competition, we're in a big sport, we need to fight, we want to fight for points as quickly as possible, and we want to fight for more in the not-too-distant future, so we should not over-glorify what we have done," he added.

Red Bull relationship improved

After the relationship with Red Bull went sour during the past season - with the team wanting to part ways with the engine supplier - Abiteboul says things between the two sides are much better now.

"The engine is much more reliable, the car is also reliable, Red Bull is happy. I've had very positive comments from Helmut [Marko], so life is beautiful," he said.

The Renault boss reckons that, despite the criticism it faced from Red Bull last year, continuing the relationship is actually positive for the French car maker.

"When we agreed to continue the collaboration with Red Bull, frankly, as far as I'm concerned, I believe it's a good thing for Renault, and maybe it will turn out to be a good thing for Red Bull," he said.

Interview by Jonathan Noble

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