Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul has insisted that the team can afford to pay for the reportedly huge salary commanded by new recruit, Daniel Ricciardo, and thinks it was about time they paid big money to have one of the best drivers.
Last season, Ricciardo made the decision to leave Red Bull in favour of Renault for 2019, with many fans and pundits believing the decision was down to Red Bull arguably favouring the younger Max Verstappen.
However, finances were a factor, too, even if Abiteboul felt forced to previously deny that Renault were paying "stupid money" to land the services of the Australian.
He says the outlay to employ Ricciardo it is within their budget.
"Renault has made a significant financial commitment," he is now quoted as saying by Finland's Iltalehti.