Renault Formula 1 team launches its 2017 car in London
Renault has become the third Formula 1 team to reveal the car it will use in the 2017 season
After Williams and Sauber shared the first images of their new F1 challengers, Renault launched its RS17 in London on Tuesday.
Black has been added to Renault's traditional yellow livery, in the French manufacturer's second season back as a works team.
The re-shaped rear wing and the thumb-tip nose design are similar to that of the two 2017 cars seen so far, and it also sports the shark fin expected to feature on all cars this year.
It will be powered by the new RE17 engine, which is a departure from last year's power unit, having undergone a radical overhaul after Renault felt the old design had reached its maximum potential.
"The objectives is very simple, since we have for the first time a car that has been developed by us, we expect to be fifth in the championship," Renault Sport Racing president Jerome Stoll said.
"We have the team, the drivers, the partners and an organisation that is now managed under the leadership of Cyril [Abiteboul], and Bob Bell, so frankly I would say that we are hungry for the podium and hungry for success now."
Renault is aiming to bounce back from a dismal 2016 season it finished in ninth position, having scored just eight points.
The team spent a big part of 2016 restructuring and recruiting new staff, although team principal Fred Vasseur parted company with Renault last month, citing differences of opinion among the senior management.
Its recent hires include former Red Bull man Pete Machin as its head of aerodynamics, and Ciaron Pilbeam from McLaren as chief race engineer.
Four-time world champion Alain Prost will also act as a special advisor in a new position.
"We are the fastest growing F1 team, we have increased by 25% the headcount, some targeted recruitment," Abiteboul added.
"We have been investing to catch up - I think we lead [in that aspect]. "Looking at the regulations, we have best of what the technology can offer."
Nico Hulkenberg joins Renault from Force India to partner Jolyon Palmer, replacing Haas-bound Kevin Magnussen, while Sergey Sirotkin has been promoted to an enhanced third and reserve driver role.
Previous article
Vergne to focus on Formula E after Ferrari F1 role ends
Next article
Sergey Sirotkin gets enhanced Renault Formula 1 role for 2017
Verstappen v Hamilton: Who was at fault?
Formula 1: Sprint Qualifying analysis
How Lotus F1 uncovered, then squandered its last ‘unfair advantage’
Cast in the mould of its founder Colin Chapman, Lotus was powerful and daring but flawed – as it proved through further soaring peaks and painful troughs into the 1980s. DAMIEN SMITH examines a game-changing era
The core problems Yas Marina’s long-awaited tweaks won't address
OPINION: Changes to the layout of Abu Dhabi’s circuit aim to reverse the trend of insipid Formula 1 races there - the promoter has even described one of the new corners as “iconic”. And that, argues STUART CODLING, is one of this venue’s abiding failings
How Ferrari offered Britain's next F1 prospect what Red Bull couldn't
Last year's Formula 2 runner-up Callum Ilott could be on his way to becoming the first Briton to contest a grand prix in an Alfa Romeo since Reg Parnell in 1950. But, says OLEG KARPOV, the Ferrari Driver Academy protege is having to temper his ambition at the moment – outwardly at least…
The signs that point to F1's rude health
OPINION: Formula 1's calendar might still be facing disruption as the pandemic affects travel but, says MARK GALLAGHER, the business itself is fundamentally strong thanks to the epic rivalry taking place on track and the consistent arrival of new sponsors
The unexpected benefit of F1’s sprint race repeat
OPINION: Formula 1's sprint race trial at Silverstone drew mixed feedback on Saturday, but there remained the true test of how it would impact Sunday's Grand Prix. While fans were busy marvelling at Fernando Alonso's progress, a key lesson was being learned that would directly contribute to the dramatic lap one clash at Copse the following day
The off-track considerations that led to F1’s Hamilton/Verstappen Silverstone shunt
OPINION: Formula 1’s 2021 title fight turned ugly last weekend when Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton collided at the start of the British Grand Prix. Verstappen thankfully walked away unharmed, but this had been a clash long-since coming
Will 2022's all-new cars look like F1's concept model?
Formula 1 provided its clearest example yet of what the 2022 cars are set to look like when it presented a full-scale concept to the world during the build-up to last weekend’s British Grand Prix. Underneath the special shiny livery was a design that hinted at the future, but teams will be digging into key areas that may reap differing results
British Grand Prix Driver Ratings
The 2021 British Grand Prix will live long in the memory for the dramatic clash between Formula 1's two title protagonists, which opened the door for other drivers to capitalise. One did so in spectacular fashion, while others fluffed their lines
