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Renault's F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul says the team will not be hiring a new team principal following the departure of Frederic Vasseur. Vasseur and Renault mutually parted ways this week after just one year together, smoething the Frenchman put down to the lack of a coherent vision for the future among senior management. Vasseur joined as managing director in early 2016 before being made team principal in the summer. Abiteboul does not feel the team principal role is a necessity in modern Formula One. "We will not replace Fred in the capacity of team principal," he said. "If we feel we are held back by not having a team principal, we will take action.My belief is that the team principal role is something you need from team to team. If you compare Frank Williams, Monisha [Kaltenborn], Vijay Mallya and Christian Horner defining it is so difficult. "Each of the teams has their own requirements and targets, which is why I think the role of team principal is very vague. Even though the name is the same, the role is very different from one team to the next." Abiteboul also defended Renault's extensive management structure, which has led to suggestions the team is lacking clear leadership. "We have a structure which is very robust. We have done lots of changes to the management structure at the start of last year and I hope and believe what we have done with Red Bull from an engine point of view is a demonstration that this structure is a capable structure. We have a very strong structure which is why we don't feel shocked, we don't feel weakened by the announcement, which is something which had been discussed at length with Fred. "We tried to make it work but at some point when it is of the view that it doesn't work, we have to make a decision and move on. I don't think we should be judged by what we are doing, I think what will matter is the results we deliver. Everyone is working flat out to achieve the target of this year which is to be in the mid-field rather than behind it."
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