Vasseur: “Find the best path for 2017”

This weekend in Monaco, Renault Sport F1 Team should introduce an evolution of its Power Unit V6 turbo / hybrid, following conclusive tests carried out on the Montmelo track in Barcelona the day after the Spanish Grand Prix, where Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer, were unable to climb into the points.

Quickly returning to the top 10, after Magnussen's seventh place in Russia, remains the objective of the Losange, but the French brand is already thinking about the strategy for the 2017 season. However, no decision has been taken according to Frederic Vasseur, competition director of Renault Sport Racing.

“[2016 is a year of reconstruction], but we need to make a decision when to split efforts between this year and next, admits the Frenchman to The Confidential. It's delicate. Because on the one hand, we can be seduced by the new rules, and focus on them. That would be an advantage.

But on the other hand, it is very important for a racing team to maintain a certain pressure, and expectations for the next races. We might lose not the motivation, but perhaps the competitive spirit. Introducing new features every week to the car to keep the team motivated is, I think, good for everyone. Everyone at the factory was satisfied with the result in Sochi. You have to keep that kind of daily motivation. But we must find the best path for 2017. »

When announcing Renault's return as a full-fledged manufacturer, President Carlos Ghosn gave three seasons to see the Losange in a position to win races again.