Renault will measure its performance against the success of its customer teams in 2018 as it continues to build towards its target of a full championship challenge in 2020.
Renault returned to F1 as a factory team in 2016 but has continued to supply customer teams with power units alongside its works outfit. This year McLaren will join Red Bull in using the French manufacturer's engines, meaning Renault's works team will be in direct competition with two of the best-funded teams on the grid.
But Renault Sport F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul believes Red Bull and McLaren will be useful markers for his team to measure itself as it continues to work towards a title challenge from 2020 onwards.