Renault has launched their contender for the 2017 Formula 1 season, the R.S.17 in London via an online broadcast event, following Sauber’s launch of their own 2017 F1 car, the C36-Ferrari, as well as the 2017 Williams FW40.
This year’s Renault F1 car features slightly more black on its still predominantly yellow livery, while both the nose tip and rear wing treatments on the Renault appear similar to those on the Williams and the Sauber; the shark fin on the R.S.17 is also expected to be a common fixture on most, if not all of 2017’s contestants.
A new engine, designated RE17 will power the R.S.17, which represents an overhaul of the power unit from last year after Renault felt that the previous design had reached its maximum potential, according to Motorsport.com . The gains made from using a new engine from the end of last year to the start of 2017 was estimated at 0.3 seconds per lap, according to Cyril Abiteboul of the Renault F1 team in a report by James Allen on F1.
The R.S.17’s chassis is developed at the team’s base in Enstone, United Kingdom, while the engine was developed in Viry-Châtillon, France. The F1 car itself now measures 2,000 mm in overall width, while front and rear tracks are 1,600 mm and 1,550 mm respectively. The upsized tyres across the board are said to contribute to more exciting racing, too.
“The cars are an awful lot quicker, they are more visually appealing and that’s going to make the sport more exciting. We will see performance increase by 5 per cent this year, which means that we will see lap times drop by around three to four seconds per lap,” said technical director Bob Bell. “They have a lot more mechanical grip in the corners, we are hopeful that it will make the racing better,” he added.
With the new powerplant, Renault will be aiming for better results on track than it had managed last year, while behind the scenes, restructuring and new recruits are aimed at improved results as well. Team principal Fred Vasseur parted company with the team citing differences of opinion, while former Red Bull Racing staff Pete Machin is now Renault F1’s head of aerodynamics.
The Renault driver line-up now comprises former Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg, who joins Jolyon Palmer. The Enstone-based team managed ninth placing in last year’s season; Renault aims for fifth in 2017 with the changes it has implemented.
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Pity our SIC now going to go into bankruptcy. Real pity F1 failed in Malaysia
Still got MotoGP as main draw.
the best looking Renault was the time when Michael Schumacher won its first championship in 1994 and 1995. remember Benetton, anyone? and the new raised nose which made tremendous improvement to the aerodynamics?
and also the time when Renault won again 2 years back to back F1 championship with Fernando Alonso (but actually it was Michelin playing the real part and bridgestone failed to perform under the new rule – 1 set for entire race)
and oh yes, not to forget when Renault used to power Williams cars in the late 90s if not mistaken Nigel Mansell and Ricardo Patrese were the drivers.
How can u forget Renault powered RBR?