F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Renault in the process of solving race pace form - Bell

Renault's Bob Bell says the French manufacturer is on top of its race pace issues, having identified solution to improve its RS17's speed on Sundays.

In China as well as Bahrain, Nico Hulkenberg put in stellar qualifying performances behind the wheel of the yellow car but on both occasions lost momentum on race day, although the German did enjoy a top ten finish last weekend.

Jolyon Palmer has lingered a bit behind his new team mate since the season kicked off and has yet to score points.

But chief technical officer Bob Bell is hopeful his team can deliver more race speed on the back of some changes which are in the works.

"We need to find more pace on Sundays, we just lack race pace," Bell told Motorsport.com.

"We knew that going into the race. We’ve got a reasonable view on where we’re losing and why it’s happening, so we’ve just got to deliver on the bits that will restore that.

"It’s a combination of tyres and aero, and getting them to work under all circumstances.

"We know what we need to do. What we haven’t been able to do is demonstrate it on track, deliver the bits to the track, and deliver on that upgrade. That’s the next step."

Bell is nevertheless encouraged with the RS17's basic performance, even if it's just over the course of one lap, insisting the team is moving in the right direction overall.

"The basic pace of the car is there. You couldn’t put it where we put it in qualifying if it wasn’t.

"What we don’t have is a flat operating envelope where we can get that same level of pace short run and long run, and that’s what our objective is.

"We’re in much better shape than we were a year ago," he added.

"We’re not where we want to be, we’re not where we planned to be, but we are getting there, one step at a time.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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