Renault Launch RS17

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Renault have launched their new car, the RS17, at an event in London as they target a big improvement in the 2017 Formula 1 season.

While Williams and Sauber have revealed images of their respective cars, Renault have become the first team to physically unveil their 2017 car at a launch event in central London. The Enstone based team have retained the distinctive yellow and black livery which returned to F1 last year when they took over the Lotus team. The car itself looks more radical, which is due to the new rules for 2017, and once again features the return of the shark fin. The French manufacturer-owned team are eyeing a significant leap in competitiveness as well with the RS17 – with a fifth-placed finish the stated 2017 target.

“The RS17 is the first car which Enstone and Viry [Renault’s UK and French F1 bases] have been able to plan and develop from the outset and we’re satisfied by the fruits of this interaction,” said Renault Sport president Jerome Stoll. “It’s a beautiful car. For 2017 our performance targets are clear. We want to take a definite, tangible step forward in performance and results. Fifth position in the Constructors’ Championship is our goal.”

Renault’s first year back at the helm of a running team in 2016 proved disappointing, with the team thwarted by delays in the RS16’s development the previous winter due to financial issues. While the car did show some signs of improvement throughout the year it wasn’t enough, leaving the team to finish 9th out of 11 teams in the Constructors’ Championship. The team however seemed to write the season off early, and instead switched focus to this year’s car and building up the team’s infrastructure off track. With the intention focused on gearing up to the teams rather ambitious challenge of fighting for the world title by 2020.

For this year though the team have new driver Nico Hulkenberg, who has joined the team from Force India after three seasons there in the hope of Renault being more competitive. While Britain’s Jolyon Palmer has been retained for a second season with the team, following his rookie year in 2016. Palmer expressed optimism Renault are on the right path towards future success at the launch.

“I hope it’s a realistic target because if we are targeting fifth then we are in the top 10 of the drivers’ [championship] and from there, if results go your way and you have a strong weekend, you can dream of having a podium in the year, which for me would be fantastic,” he said.

Renault also confirmed Russia’s Sergey Sirotkin as their reserve driver for 2017 yesterday. The GP2 driver had some good races in the series last year and has shown some potential as well. The team also used the event to confirm four-time world champion and long-time Renault ambassador Alain Prost will be coming on board to act as a special advisor to the team’s management.

Feature Image Credit: Renault Sport Formula One Press Release