Alain Prost believes Renault is not being distracted by solely comparing themselves against former customers Red Bull.
The two teams had a deteriorating relationship in the final years of their long-standing collaboration with barbs being traded even after the pair went their separate ways at the end of last season.
Looking ahead to 2019, the Milton Keynes-based outfit is seen as the main target in Renault's sights, as they look to push on towards the front, but the four-time Formula 1 champion and team advisor insists they see a bigger picture.
"It will depend as much on us as on them," Prost was quoted by GPFans when asked by French media if they could compete against Red Bull.
"Chassis-wise, I do not think we can be at their level yet, but on the engine side, we have no fear. I think if they (Red Bull-Honda) are fast but not necessarily very reliable, we'll see what happens."
However: "We aim to get closer to the best, and that is not done by focusing on Red Bull," he continued. "We have no problem of misplaced pride in relation to them. They are one of the three that must be caught up."
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The loss of Red Bull as a customer means Renault now only has McLaren as a barometer with the same power unit and the French manufacturer has also opted against forging a close association with an independent team.
"I don't think it's a problem," Prost said. "For me, the real advantage is not for the factory team, but those who benefit like Haas or Alfa Romeo.
"At Renault, we are not going to focus on that. We have our identity, we have a reference with McLaren who have the same engine and we hope that they will come back [up the pecking order]."
