Renault have revealed their 2017 racer, the R.S. 17, featuring a new livery, with the team targeting fifth position in the the upcoming Formula 1 championship.
The R.S. 17 sports Renault’s traditional yellow colour scheme, but with a lot more black compared to last year. A re-shaped rear wing and the thumb-tip nose design are similar to the Williams and Sauber. In addition, the shark fin engine cover is expected to be seen on all cars.
Powered by the new RE17 engine, which is a departure from last season’s power unit, having undergone a radical overhaul after Renault felt the old design had reached its maximum potential.
Last year marked the French manufacturer’s return to Formula 1 with its own team, having taken over the Lotus squad the previous year.
Renault is aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 2016 season where it finished in ninth position with just eight points scored.
The team spent a big part of 2016 restructuring and recruiting new staff ahead of what is set to be a stronger challenge this year.
“2017 will be a great year, a crucial year,” commented Jerome Stoll, Renault Sport Racing Chairman. “For the first time the car is developed by us and we expect to be fifth. We have the team, the drivers, the partners and the organisation.”
Team principal Fred Vasseur parted company with Renault last month, the Frenchman citing differences of opinion among the senior management as the reason for his exit.
Recently the team hired former Red Bull Racing man Pete Machin as its head of aerodynamics.
On the driver front, former Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg joins Jolyon Palmer, the German replacing Haas-bound Kevin Magnussen in the Enstone-based line-up.
News stories on the Renault R.S.17:
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2017/2/renault-launch-the-r-s-17-in-london.html
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/renault-presents-its-2017-formula-1-car-875535/
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/02/21/pictures-renaults-new-f1-car-for-2017-breaks-cover/
http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12473/10766434/renault-launch-2017-car-the-rs17-ahead-of-new-formula-1-season
Sergey Sirotkin has been promoted to the role of third and reserve driver for the Renault Formula 1 team in 2017.
The Russian was signed as test driver last year, dovetailing his duties with a GP2 campaign with ART, where he finished third in the drivers’ championship for the second successive season.
As part of his Renault test role, he drove in first practice on home soil at Sochi and then again at Interlagos as well as carrying out driving duties at the Silverstone in-season test.
This season, Sirotkin becomes a full member of the Renault squad, attending all grands prix and taking part in a yet-to-be-confirmed number of practice sessions.
“We had a very good experience working together last year and having this as a base we will make a step forward with a new role in 2017,” said Sirotkin, who was announced in the role at Renault’s 2017 launch in London.
“FP1 sessions will be part of my programme.
“I know these sessions are an important element of race preparation for the team.
“So my duty in these is to fulfil all their targets, rather than just trying to set the fastest time I can at any given moment.”
Having secured the role as back-up for Nico Hulkenberg and Jolyon Palmer for now, the 21-year-old has set his sights on making his F1 race debut next year.
“I don’t think anyone would be surprised if I said that my main target for the 2018 season is to have a seat as a Formula 1 race driver and that’s what I’m working towards,” Sirotkin said.
“I’m here to learn and be an asset to the team as well as show that I am worthy of further opportunities.”
When asked what he could learn from working alongside Palmer and Hulkenberg, Sirotkin said: “It doesn’t matter if it’s from Nico and Jolyon or from any situation, there is always a lot to learn in this life.
“If I spend a day not getting better in some way, it’s a lost day.
“I will never change this approach to everything I do and of course, I expect to learn something from both of the race drivers and all of the team as well.”
Source: Autosport.com