Photo: Renault
At long last, French manufacturer Renault is back in Formula 1 as a works team. The newly (re)established outfit was born from the ashes of a financially troubled and underperforming Lotus F1 Team.
From its inception in 2012 to the end of the 2015 season, Lotus managed to win only two Grand Prix races and fetch 25 podium finishes. Other than the unsatisfactory results, the Lotus F1 Team’s worst moment was at the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix. Due to unpaid bills by the race organizers from the previous year, the Enstone-based outfit was locked out of their hospitality unit.
The plug was pulled on the struggling Lotus F1 Team back in December, when all its financial troubles were washed away by Renault. Despite the success as an engine supplier to Red Bull, Renault couldn’t resist the temptation to get back in the game.
Renault's decision is only natural, more so if you consider the words used by Red Bull team’s boss Christian Horner and team owner Dietrich Mateschitz when they publicly complained about the dreadful reliability of the Renault Energy F1 V6 Turbo power unit.
Renault has learned its lesson by trial and error and now the manufacturer is prepared to make a comeback to the front lines with this - the 2016 Renault RS16. Unveiled today in Paris, the RS16 is beautified by an ominous black-and-yellow livery and a selection of decals, including Infiniti decals on the sides of the airbox.
The Racing Director for the new team is Frederic Vasseur of ART Grand Prix fame. He’s joined by Chief Technical Officer Bob Bell, who left the Manor F1 Team in October 2015. The brave men who will drive the Renault RS16 throughout the 2016 season are Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer. Esteban Ocon fills the role of third and reserve driver for the Renault F1 Team.
“Motorsports still spark the imagination of both enthusiasts and everyday drivers, and we are putting a comprehensive program in place today. Formula 1 is a big part of our efforts to boost awareness of Renault, particularly in markets where Renault is a newcomer, and will enhance the transfer of technologies from the track to our road cars,” declared Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn during the launch of the Renault RS16.
The plug was pulled on the struggling Lotus F1 Team back in December, when all its financial troubles were washed away by Renault. Despite the success as an engine supplier to Red Bull, Renault couldn’t resist the temptation to get back in the game.
Renault's decision is only natural, more so if you consider the words used by Red Bull team’s boss Christian Horner and team owner Dietrich Mateschitz when they publicly complained about the dreadful reliability of the Renault Energy F1 V6 Turbo power unit.
Renault has learned its lesson by trial and error and now the manufacturer is prepared to make a comeback to the front lines with this - the 2016 Renault RS16. Unveiled today in Paris, the RS16 is beautified by an ominous black-and-yellow livery and a selection of decals, including Infiniti decals on the sides of the airbox.
The Racing Director for the new team is Frederic Vasseur of ART Grand Prix fame. He’s joined by Chief Technical Officer Bob Bell, who left the Manor F1 Team in October 2015. The brave men who will drive the Renault RS16 throughout the 2016 season are Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer. Esteban Ocon fills the role of third and reserve driver for the Renault F1 Team.
“Motorsports still spark the imagination of both enthusiasts and everyday drivers, and we are putting a comprehensive program in place today. Formula 1 is a big part of our efforts to boost awareness of Renault, particularly in markets where Renault is a newcomer, and will enhance the transfer of technologies from the track to our road cars,” declared Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn during the launch of the Renault RS16.
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