Renault struggling to recruit staff for its Formula 1 team

Following its takeover of Lotus in December last year, Renault immediately instigated a recruitment drive as it quickly realised the Enstone team was weak in terms of staff numbers.

Team managing director Cyril Abiteboul revealed the numbers remain low and there has been reluctance from some Renault has approached.

"Where we are behind in terms of our plans is on the human side," Abiteboul told Autosport.

"Bringing in people as quickly as we would like - both in quantity and quality - has been more difficult than anticipated.

"There are obviously people with contracts in place, and if they want to join us, for people to get out of those contracts takes time.

"First we have to convince them, and frankly that's one area where we are struggling, and I don't understand why we're struggling with people to be convinced by our ambitions and how committed Renault is to this project.

"I want to let people know we are super serious in our projects, but I think that's where acts - more than my words - will show that."

The first new staff from Renault's employment push are due to arrive next month.

"Hopefully they will make a difference - not to this year's car, unfortunately that will be too late - but for next year's car," he added.

Abiteboul is still hopeful the total number of staff will rise to 590 by the end of the year, with the current level around the 500 mark, despite the doubters.

"It's been a number of engineers in particular. Frankly I'm not going to give names," said Abiteboul.

"But it's true we thought it would be easier to convince people, and to retain everyone as we lost a couple of people who were not necessarily convinced by our ability to be where we want to be in the future, which is to be a top team.

"To a certain degree I understand them. When you see the level of our competitors, the game has changed so much in the six years since we were last in Enstone.

"You have to accept that for the time being we are an underdog, and we need some people who are capable of dealing with that fact."

Autosport understands James Allison, who recently departed from his role as technical director at Ferrari, is high on Renault's list.

Abiteboul would only say: "We have lots of respect for James. He is a fantastic person who has been part of a very, very strong car, and he knows Enstone very well.

"I don't want people to think if there is nothing it is because we aren't interested in James or we don't value James. We value James.

"For the time being we are trying to make the structure that we have work. That's our first priority."