2017 is a “good opportunity” for Renault

Frédéric Vasseur had already indicated this several weeks ago, Renault Sport F1 Team has largely started the shift on the 2017 project, reducing the work on the current RS16 driven by Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer.

Returned as a manufacturer in 2016, the French brand, which had not fixed its objectives of returning to success within three years, already sees 2017 as a first chance to return to a more attractive level, taking advantage of the change in technical regulations.

“Yes, we consider 2017 as a good opportunity for us, explains the Team Principal of the Losange stable on the F1 website. Currently we are using a car based on the 2015 model and built around an engine Mercedes, so when switching to a Renault engine, we suffered from the start.

It is a fact that we are not building the 2017 car on the basis of the 2016 car, but on the basis of the 2015 car, and we have a lot to catch up on! But as I just said, 2017 remains a good opportunity for us. Yes, right now it's a little stressful to manage such a gap based on the structure we have, but we are working hard. »

Recently, Toto wolff, boss of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, admitted for his part that everything remained open for the next season with the new rules, and did not bury its rivals Ferrari et Red Bull despite the advance of the single-seaters at the star since 2014.

If Renault should, logically, not compete with the master trio of F1 next year, the progress seen with the V6 turbo / hybrid Power Unit installed in the RB12s of Red Bull Racing leaves hope for Frédéric Vasseur, who knows that the aerodynamic field still needs to be perfected.

“When it comes to the aerodynamic side, we clearly want to develop our own talents. This is actually what you do if you are on a long term plan. The goal is 2020. But, of course, at some point you also want external expertise. » Renault had therefore called on the services of Ilmor and Mario Illien to move forward with the development of its Power Unit.