Renault has revealed their new RS17 car as they target a huge improvement in the 2017 Formula 1 season.
After Williams and Sauber revealed images of their particular new challengers, Renault become the first team to physically reveal their 2017 competitor at a glittering launch occasion in central London.
Maintaining the distinct yellow and black livery which went back to F1 in 2016, the French manufacturer-owned team are considering a significant leap in competitiveness – with a fifth-placed finish the mentioned 2017 target.
“The RS17 is the first vehicle which Enstone and Viry have been able to plan and establish from the start and we’re satisfied by the fruits of this interaction,” stated Renault Sport president Jerome Stoll. “It’s a beautiful automobile.
“For 2017 our performance targets are clear. We wish to take a guaranteed, tangible step forward in performance and outcomes. Fifth position in the Constructors’ Championship is our goal.”
Nico Hulkenberg has signed up with the team from Force India, with Britain’s Jolyon Palmer kept for a second campaign.
“It looks racy,” Hulkenberg informed Sky Sports when asked about the RS17. “It looks quickly and aggressive, it looks pretty good.”
Renault’s first year back at the helm of the Enstone team in last year showed to be frustrating with the team hamstrung by delays in the RS16’s advancement the previous winter, leaving them ninth from 11 groups in the Constructors’ Champion.
But the French manufacturer concentrated on developing the former champion group’s facilities off the track, with a recruitment drive main to its aspirations of challenging for the world title by 2020.
Frederic Vasseur left his post as team principal in January after simply one season amid reports of disputes with Cyril Abiteboul, Renault Sport’s managing director.
However talking to Sky Sports News HQ during the launch, Palmer expressed optimism Renault are on the ideal path to future success.
Renault verified Russia’s Sergey Sirotkin as their reserve motorist for 2017, with four-time world champion and veteran Renault ambassador Alain Prost to act as a special advisor to the group’s management.
