Fred Vasseur has not ruled out taking another experienced driver to partner Nico Hülkenberg in the Renault Sport F1 team in 2017 amid rumours that Valtteri Bottas could be set to move away from Williams Martini Racing.
The team principal of the Enstone-based team pinpoints the Mercedes set-up where there is no clear number one driver between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, and Vasseur insists the choice of driver to partner the recently announced Hülkenberg would be made based on talent.
Bottas is one of a number of drivers linked to the currently vacant driver as well as current Manor Racing star and 2016 Renault reserve driver Esteban Ocon, while both of the current drivers Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer are also still in contention, although the hopes for the 2016 line-up appear to be fading.
“Why wouldn’t we have two team leaders?” said Vasseur to French newspaper L’Equipe. “At Mercedes, it works perfectly.
“I don’t like the idea of having a top driver and another one left in the shadow. Performance comes emulation. Just look at Mercedes: the duel [between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg] has pushed the team forward. The idea would be to have two equally talented drivers.”
