Renault expecting to make 'a big step' in 2017

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Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul believes the team "will make a big step" as a result of new F1 regulations in 2017.

Having purchased the struggling Lotus team at the end of 2015, Renault has been in a rebuilding phase and has scored points in just one race this year. Abiteboul says the lack of performance from the car is not a reflection of the team's potential because the current chassis has not been developed properly since the start of last season.

Renault in "a number of discussions" with drivers for 2017

Asked by F1i if the new regulations will allow Renault to make a big step or if the change is not that significant, Abiteboul replied: "No we think we will make a big step.

"First because the current pace does not represent the capacity of the team, and secondly because indeed it does have the capacity to reset rather than having to play catch-up on an 18-month delay on a car that had no development last year or over this winter. So, yes, that’s an opportunity for us.

"Frankly we are not expecting to do a Brawn, we are not expecting to have a world championship winning car next year - that’s in the plan but not for next year - but we think that indeed it will allow us to make gains in the midfield quicker than in a time of stability in the regulations.”

Behind the scenes Abiteboul says progress has been motivating for Renault, even if the on-track results have been less so.

“All of that is happening and there is really a positive buzz at the factory after the break because some of the things that were promised to the staff, to the partners and to the shareholders have become reality. With more people, new equipment, new machines, a new cluster and so on and so forth.

"All of that is now in the wall, so when things are starting to become a reality it’s much easier to show to people that there is reality in the project. What is slightly difficult is the frustration that is caused by the current sporting performance of the team, so we have to balance that.

"Frankly we do not want to be blind to what we are doing on the track because there might be some stuff to learn for the future but equally we should not give too much weight to what is going on during those races.”

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.