RENAULT Sport Racing kick off a new era this weekend as they open their 2016 Formula 1 season in Melbourne at the Australian Grand Prix.

It marks a return for Renault as a works team following their purchase of Enstone's Lotus last year and a frantic winter break, replacing Mercedes engines with Renault's eponymous power unit and signing up a new driver line-up.

And while debutant Jolyon Palmer and the similarly inexperienced Kevin Magnussen are not expected to trouble the podium places this weekend, the experience gained will stand them in good stead for future challenges.

"Renault's ambitions are big and that's the most important thing for a driver; to be in a team that aims to win world championships," said Magnussen.

"It's the perfect place for me as a young driver."

Managing director Cyril Abiteboul believes that the experience gained over the next 12 months will benefit both drivers and team in their aim to become a competitive force in future seasons.

He said: "2017 is still the main plan so we are laying those foundations now.

"I think we have a fantastic driver line up. They bring the energy of young people who want to make a point.

"Both drivers want to prove a lot, but they deserve to be in F1 and will gain in experience as we gain in experience."

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Canadian driver Nicholas Latifi has joined the team as a test driver, with the aim of competing in at least one free practice session over the course of the season.