Bob Bell confident in the possibilities of the R.S.17

Renault Sport F1 Team unveiled its new R.S.17 yesterday, car which should allow the Diamond brand to aim for fifth place in the Manufacturers' ranking, an objective set by the French management for the two drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Jolyon Palmer.

To approach this season, marked by the new technical regulations, the Renault teams have definitively drawn a line under the Lotus F1 Team era, whose shadow still hung over the 2016 single-seater.

“Our performance indicators show that we have made significant and consistent gains throughout its development, explains technical director Bob Bell.

If you look at the car itself, you will see enormous attention to detail and sophistication, illustrating that it was designed by a talented and competent group. It’s a full-fledged F1 Renault single-seater and what we know about it so far gives me a lot of optimism. »

If the hierarchy at the top of the grid seems rather clear for Cyril Abiteboul, the director of Renault Sport Racing recognizes on the other hand that the question arises from the potential performances of the pair McLaren –Honda.

« It's a big unknown for us what Honda will have done in terms of engine development because I'm sure McLaren is capable of producing a high performance car, especially with such a dramatic change in aerodynamic regulations, comments the Frenchman.

I wait Mercedes, Ferrari et Red Bull, in no particular order we should fight against Williams, Force India, Toro Rosso. The question remains McLaren. »