Renault F1 has become the first team to reveal its F1 racer for the coming 2016 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Its return to the game via the reclamation of the outfit that previously wore Lotus stripes also sees an overhaul of its Renault Sport division.
The company has announced that its performance division will now be split in to two separate teams – Renault Sport Racing (F1, Formula Renault, Renault e.dams, etc.) and Renault Sport Cars (production of the Megane RS, Clios RS, etc.). No secret then as to where the brand’s Formula 1 activities fall under.
Here, the Renault Sport F1 team has revealed its RS16 challenger right after the first round of F1 pre-season tests at the Paul Ricard circuit. The RS16 maintains a similar colour scheme as the outgoing Lotus F1 car, only opting for a black and yellow livery instead of the previous black and gold.
Look closely though, and you’ll notice that the brand has a few new sponsors – one in particular, being Infiniti. The premium arm of Nissan has long been associated with the Red Bull F1 team, and will now take up a second role in the sport, alongside its Renault-Nissan Alliance partner to “enhance its involvement through a specific technology program developing the second generation of energy recovery systems (ERS) for the F1 power unit.”
The Renault team also took the opportunity to confirm its driver line-up for the 2016 season. Former McLaren driver, Kevin Magnussen, has been called to replace Pastor Maldonado, while young Jolyon Palmer, a 2014 GP2 champion, will fill up the other available seat.
The hybrid-powered RS16 will be powered by the team’s 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engine and electric energy recovery system, producing up to 875 hp. As grand as that sounds, Renault engines are often humbled by Mercedes-AMG and Ferrari power units, leaving the team with much to develop this year.
The 2016 Formula 1 World Championship continues next with pre-season tests at the Barcelona circuit (February 22 to 25, March 1 to 4). The first race of the season takes place on March 20 at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, Australia.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
without the classic F1 sound ,you feel like your watching a broken television…
at least the ‘angry’ radio conversations spice things up a bit….
As if this will help TC Euros selling more Renault Fluence
I hope this year Renault will achive more good resaults with the NEW Car and the NEW engine.
redbull aswell because they will have the same engine.
I have send different other messages about how the NEW f1 Car could be and i was right.
About the weight of thecar ,the aerodynamic shape,the
power of the turbocharger and the Electric power.