Prost: Daniel is more expensive but justified

Renault team chief Cyril Abiteboul swooped on Ricciardo without warning, locking him into a two-year deal alongside Nico Hulkenberg, which clearly signals the French team's intent.

Prost explained, "Daniel is more expensive than other drivers. When you need that to help the team we did it. Money is not a problem but it has to be justified."

"We are not going to spend money unless we know that it is worth it. Mercedes and Ferrari may have a different philosophy."

"We have two top drivers, maybe one of the best lineups in F1 today. They are Renault drivers, not owned by Red Bull or Mercedes. It shows everybody outside and inside that we want to do the best, the right choices at the right moment."

Although Renault have a long and illustrious history in Formula 1 as a team and engine supplier, their current project is relatively new, emerging from the ashes of the Lotus disaster.

But at Enstone and Viry the rebuilding has been constant and intense, they are nearly where they need to be but it will not be an overnight process.

Prost added, "What is the real target? Is it to be champions in year five and go away because we have achieved the goal? Or is it we want to build the team to be one of the top teams and always a top team in the future? That’s my perspective – long term."

https://www.grandprix247.com/2018/08/06/ricciardo-to-bank-70-million-in-two-year-with-renault-deal/