Renault believes Kevin Magnussen has the talent to become a Formula One world champion in the future.
Magnussen's F1 career received a lifeline over the winter when Pastor Maldonado was dropped by Renault due to missing sponsorship payments. The team wasted no time employing Magnussen as Maldonado's replacement and racing director Frederic Vasseur believes his driver has the potential to win the title once the team is up to speed.
"He had a strong race season at McLaren two years ago and showed his ability in the junior categories such as Formula Renault 3.5," Vasseur said. "He can target winning races and championships as he has the talent.
"The fact he had a lack of mileage last year will motivate him and he'll be chomping at the bit to get back into it all. It's important for us because we all know 2016 won't be an easy season. We know where we are starting from and we need motivated characters like Kevin to keep pushing hard."
Magnussen drove for McLaren alongside Jenson Button in 2014 but had to make way for Fernando Alonso in 2015 and was demoted to reserve driver. At the end of 2015 he was dropped altogether by the British team and he says he now has a point to prove.
"I had a season in 2014 with McLaren and I felt it went quite well pitched against a past world champion," Magnussen said. "To be replaced the following year was tough even if the line-up the team used was very strong. I had been racing every year since I was six so to sit to the side certainly wasn't part of my plan.
"Hopefully I'll prove many points. I'm extremely motivated after a whole year away. I've been sitting on the sideline during the races for so many weekends and I'm hungry to come back and prove my worth. I've raced my whole life and I'm extremely hungry and keen to get in a race car again and even more so with Renault Sport."