Reliability before performance for Renault

Ironically, it is in front of Esteban Ocon, his reserve driver in 2016, that Renault lost his points duel at the inaugural Grand Prix in Australia last month. The Force India driver had the best of the McLaren de Fernando Alonso, while resisting Nico Hulkenberg and the RS17.

The German and the French team hope to reverse the situation in China this weekend by trying to open their counter on the Shanghai track. Tire management will appear to be one of the deciding factors depending on who wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2015.

“The track is known for the endless combination of turns 1 and 2. It's a tricky spot because it's easy to enter too fast, especially during qualifying, and it's a corner that eats up the left front tire …

Historically, managing the tires remains a complicated job because turn 13 is another very long right-hander which further reduces the life of the rubber. The tires and cars are very different this year, so we will have a lot to learn on Friday. »

Reliability, watchword at Renault

For the Australian event, and for the sake of reliability, Renault had installed the 2016 MGU-Ks in the Power Units of the RS17s and the blocks of Red Bull Racing et Toro Rosso. A choice made after problems during winter testing in Barcelona, ​​and which should last until Spain at the beginning of May.

“The performance of the Power Unit appears to be on par with what we expect and we know there is more to come, precise Cyril Abiteboul, director of Renault Sport Racing.

In due course we will return to the 2017 specification of the MGU-K and also introduce upgrades, but this will only happen if we reach the level of reliability we need. »