Breaking news
Formula 1
Renault encouraged by 2017 engine test results
Renault says that dyno testing of its 2017 power unit is delivering some 'encouraging' results as it eyes a step forward in form next year.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Sep 14, 2016, 11:33 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The French car manufacturer has made good progress in power terms over the course of this season, and is poised to introduce another minor upgrade for this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.
Its focus, however, is on making a bigger step forward in 2017 which will allow the works team to move up the grid and Red Bull to get itself back in the hunt for regular race victories.
Renault team principal Fred Vasseur said that there was no illusion that the gap to Mercedes had been closed down completely yet, but he suggested that hopes were high of decent progress for next year.
"We had two good steps, the first one before the race [in Melbourne] last winter and the other one for Monaco/Canada," Vasseur told Motorsport.com. "I think we are not so far from the Mercedes.
"We are still a bit behind, but if you have a look at the GPS data we are a bit behind but we are improving.
"We know exactly what we have on the bench for 2017 because the V6 is already on the bench and I think it is encouraging."
Top five target
Although Red Bull's ambitions are on the world championship next year, Vasseur has said that if his Enstone outfit can finish in the top five then it should be satisfied with the job it has done.
"We have the road map from Ghosn that says in year three you are able to go for podiums and in year five you are able to win some races," he said. "So, between today and year three, we have to be in a position to do a podium.
"To cross the line then we can imagine to be in a position to be P5 next year. I think it will be a good achievement."
No surprise
Although Renault's current campaign has fallen below expectations, Vasseur has reiterated that the outcome was not a real surprise considering how little development had taken place during Lotus' final year.
"We knew the numbers and we knew perfectly that the car was designed at the beginning of 2015 and had not been developed at all during the season," he said. "Plus it was designed for the Mercedes engine, and we kept exactly the same chassis to put the Renault inside.
"To go on track was a bit challenging. We took the company over two months before Barcelona and for sure you cannot expect to be in a good shape.
"Okay you can say that last year they were able to do good results but it was designed in 2015 for 2015 and for the Mercedes engine. So if you are deeply involved in the system then you say no way."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mexican GP plans even bigger podium spectacular
Next article Analysis: How F1 is fighting off the hackers
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Jolyon Palmer
F1 pundit warns against early Kimi Antonelli verdict after British GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
British GP
F1 pundit warns against early Kimi Antonelli verdict after British GP
Jolyon Palmer: Charles Leclerc could be "absolute menace" to Mercedes in Lewis Hamilton's title bid
Formula 1
Formula 1
Austrian GP
Jolyon Palmer: Charles Leclerc could be "absolute menace" to Mercedes in Lewis Hamilton's title bid
Williams is emerging as one of the “biggest disappointments”, according to Jolyon Palmer
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Williams is emerging as one of the “biggest disappointments”, according to Jolyon Palmer
More from
Renault F1 Team
“I went back to the car and cried” – Esteban Ocon opens up about his unexpected year on F1 sidelines
Formula 1
Formula 1
“I went back to the car and cried” – Esteban Ocon opens up about his unexpected year on F1 sidelines
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Formula 1
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
On this day: Michael Schumacher’s final unsportsmanlike manoeuvre
Formula 1
Formula 1
Monaco GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher’s final unsportsmanlike manoeuvre
Latest news
Tom Cruise interested in racing ARCA car, per NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
3 h
Tom Cruise interested in racing ARCA car, per NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell
Gibbs, Spire and Gabehart argue over contempt and injunction
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
6 h
Gibbs, Spire and Gabehart argue over contempt and injunction
William Byron to run Jeff Gordon throwback Axalta scheme at Phoenix
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
7 h
William Byron to run Jeff Gordon throwback Axalta scheme at Phoenix
Alexander Rossi takes over IR-28 testing as IndyCar pushes new chassis to the limit at Sebring
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 7 h
Alexander Rossi takes over IR-28 testing as IndyCar pushes new chassis to the limit at Sebring
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe