Abiteboul hopes for a Renault engine at Mercedes level in 2018

We had to wait until the third year of the era of V6 turbo/hybrid Power Units to see the engine Renault to his advantage. With the Red Bull RB12 Max Verstappen et Daniel Ricciardo, the French brand, which also returned as a full-fledged manufacturer this season, was able to climb very close to the standard value on a few occasions Mercedes.

As specified Cyril Abiteboul, general director of Renault Sport Racing, quoted by Sky Sports, the French firm intends to continue its momentum, but does not want to skip any steps to catch up with its German rival.

“Before being able to innovate, I think it is important to completely catch up with Mercedes, which we hope to be able to accomplish in early 2018.

We have put in place a clear, long-term roadmap for the innovation we want to bring to the world. F1 and more precisely concerning the Power Unit. We will be supported in this quest for a championship by 2020.”

Renault must indeed continue the relaunch of its own team, started at the end of 2015 from the ashes of Lotus F1 Team. Cyril Abiteboul’s men will count on the German Nico Hulkenberg, recruited to replace Kevin Magnussen, and Jolyon Palmer for 2017.

However, the season will be played without Frédéric Vasseur. Team Principal and Renault announced yesterday their separation by mutual agreement.