F1 Madness

Tag: renault f1

  • Renault and Alfa Romeo Sauber’s 2018 F1 challengers

    Renault and Alfa Romeo Sauber’s 2018 F1 challengers

    Following the launches of the new Haas F1 and Williams 2018 F1 cars, as well as Red Bull’s RB14, the Renault and Alfa Romeo Sauber unveiled their 2018 challengers on Tuesday.

    The C37 Alfa Romeo Sauber

    Marking the start of its title sponsorship with Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo, Sauber unveiled the C37 for the 2018 F1 season. The car was launched with the same livery used when the team first announced their partnership with Alfa Romeo who is returning to Formula One after an absence of over three decades.

    As far as the livery goes, the car could probably have done with a little more red. As our own Natalie commented, “It’s going to look just like a Williams from the front. More red dammit!”.

    Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 2018 carThe C37 has been built on a new design philosophy – one that Sauber’s technical director Joerg Zander hopes will bring Sauber back up to the midfield.

    According to the team, the focus has been improved aerodynamics in addition to changes to meet the new technical regulations for F1 2018 which include the removal of the shark fin and T-wings and the addition of the halo cockpit protection system.

    The C37 will also be competing with Ferrari’s 2018 spec power units. Zander says that the team is “positive that the new concept offers us more opportunities and will help us to make improvements during the course of the season. The 2018 Ferrari engine will also give us a boost in term of our performance.”

    Renault’s R.S.18

    Renault 2018 F1 carRenault also revealed images of its 2018 challenger on Tuesday – the car manufacturer’s third new chassis since its return to F1 as a works’ entry. The car features a brand new ‘reversed’ livery and according to the team is a progression and refinement of the concepts developed during F1 2017. This includes improved suspension and better aerodynamic downforce.

    The R.S.18 also features the new Halo cockpit protection system and all technical changes to meet the new regulations for the 2018 season.

    Renault Sport Racing President Jérôme Stoll said that the “Renault Sport Formula One Team’s ambition is clearly to uphold the outstanding record of the past and the 2017 season has confirmed we are on the right track. We are a team on the rise.

    Renault 2018 F1 car“We have two very talented drivers who are hungry for results. Enstone is regenerated and the workforce has already increased by more than 35%. Our investment has so far been successfully translated to the track as we rose from ninth to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2017 and ended the year with the fourth fastest car.”

    “The success of the programme in just two years is a testament to the resilient plan laid down early in the creation of the team and the strong job done by Cyril and the entire Renault Sport Racing teams. I am convinced year three will take us one step closer to the long-term aim: winning races and challenging for championships.”

    Photos: Alfa Romeo Sauber & Renault

  • Renault Sport F1 Unveils 2017 Formula 1 Car

    Renault Sport F1 Unveils 2017 Formula 1 Car

    The Renault F1 team became the third team to reveal its 2017 car, the Renault R.S.17, today in London.

    Following images released by Williams and Sauber of their 2017 cars, Renault revealed their car today in front of reporters and sponsors. The event was broadcast live on YouTube and Facebook.

    Renault have kept with the yellow and black livery this year but have incorporated more black into the design. The low and wide rear wing and the wide tyres make the car seem lower and faster already. As we’ve seen on the Williams and Sauber, Renault have also incorporated a shark fin behind the engine cover and a stub nose.

    Jérôme Stoll said that the aim for Renault this season is to finish fifth in the championship. It was also announced the Renault Ambassador Alain Prost has now been appointed as a Special Advisor to Renault Sport F1.

    Piloting the R.S.17 for Renault will be Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen with Sergei Sirotkin appointed as test driver.

     

  • Renault Completes Driver Lineup, Keeps Palmer for 2017

    Renault Completes Driver Lineup, Keeps Palmer for 2017

    The Renault Formula 1 Team announced that it will retain the services of Jolyon Palmer for 2017.

    Palmers future at the Enstone based team was in doubt a few weeks ago when it was announced that Nico Hulkenberg would join the team from 2017. Reports backed his current team mate, Kevin Magnussen, to be retained at Renault for 2017.

    It has emerged that Magnussen is no the verge of a move to Haas F1 Haas F1 for 2017. With Palmers announcement at Renault this makes it highly probable that the Dane will make his way to the U.S to join Haas.

    “I’m over the moon to be racing with Renault Sport Formula One Team for a second season and I can’t wait to reward the team’s faith in me on track,” said Palmer.

    “Having worked out of Enstone since 2015 I can fully appreciate the development of the infrastructure this year. This means I share the excitement of the team looking to 2017 and our new car.

    “For me, it’s been a steep learning curve driving in Formula 1 and I know that I am performing better than ever, and that there’s still more to come.

    “There is tremendous drive and enthusiasm in Enstone and Viry looking to next year and I am honoured to be part of this.”

     

    Picture credit: Renault Sport Formula One Team

  • Force India Confirm Hulkenberg Exit at the end of the Year

    Force India Confirm Hulkenberg Exit at the end of the Year

    The Sahara Force India Formula One Team confirmed that Nico Hulkenberg will leave the team at the end of the season to “pursue other opportunities within Formula One.”

    Word has been going around that Hulkenberg was on the verge of leaving Force India to take a drive with the Renault Formula. This latest announcement opens the door for him to join the Renault F1 team in 2017 when another round of rule changes comes into play.

    “Everybody at Sahara Force India wishes Nico well as he embarks upon a different path in Formula One,” said the Team Principal and Managing Director of Force India Vijay Mallya.

    “Having spent five years with us, Nico has become a great friend and contributed a huge amount to the team’s success.

    “He’s an outstanding driver, who has scored more points for this team than anybody else.

    “While it’s true we will miss Nico, we respect his decision to explore fresh opportunities and it would be wrong to stand in his way.”

  • Renault Makes First Move to Acquire Lotus F1 Team

    Renault Makes First Move to Acquire Lotus F1 Team

    Renault have made the first move in acquiring the Lotus F1 Team by signing a letter of intent to take a controlling interest in the team.

    This comes after months of negotiations with the owners of the Lotus F1 Team, Genii Capital. This move paves they way for Renault to return to F1 as a full works team and not just and engine supplier.

    The Renault press statement in full:

    “Renault Group and Gravity Motorsports S.a.r.l., an affiliate of Genii Capital SA, are pleased to announce the signature of a Letter of Intent regarding the potential acquisition by Renault of a controlling stake in Lotus F1 Team Ltd.

    The signature of this Letter of Intent marks Renault’s first step towards the project of a Renault Formula 1 team from the 2016 racing season thereby extending 38 years of commitment of the brand to world’s premier motorsport championship series.

    Renault Group and Gravity will work together in the coming weeks to eventually turn this initial undertaking into a definitive transaction provided all terms and conditions are met between them and other interested ”

    The last time we seen Renault in F1 was in 2009. It won world championships with Fernando Alonso in 2006 and 2006.

    This is good news for F1 and for Lotus, who spent the Japanese Grand Prix locked out of their hospitality unit due to non-payment. The team is also due in court on Monday for an outstanding tax bill. This announcement comes at just the right time for the troubled team.