2016 Review – Renault: A difficult comeback but ambitions for 2017

Key Figures

Position in the constructors’ standings: 9th

Pole: 0

Victory: 0

Podium: 0

Points: 8

Best result: 7th (Magnussen: Russia)

Best qualification: 12th (Magnussen: Belgium)

A return to discipline on the ashes of the Lotus team

Renault’s return to the premier discipline was quite challenging this season. The team was severely handicapped by an outdated single-seater. Let’s remember that the purchase of the Lotus team was only finalized in December of the previous year, which didn’t allow for the design of an effective new chassis! The team at Enstone had to compete all season with a car that was essentially a repurposed 2015 Lotus chassis adapted to the Renault engine. This car itself dated back to early 2015. Due to financial reasons, very few developments were made to the machine. With this in mind, the manufacturer had a lot of work ahead! From the outset, they had to start the season by making adjustments to the chassis to try and cover up the shortcomings.

Despite Kevin Magnussen’s seventh place in Russia, the brand with the diamond logo has focused on work for the 2017 project. This task is particularly concentrated on improving the engine, which has borne fruit, as seen by the progress made on the Red Bull, branded with the French engine. On the chassis department side in Enstone, Frédéric Vasseur has worked to upgrade the factory and start a massive recruitment process that will take place over several years. On track, this season ended with three top 10s: in addition to the seventh place in Sochi, a tenth place in Singapore and another tenth place in Malaysia are to be noted, the last points finish being for Jolyon Palmer. These eight points mean a ninth place in the constructors’ standings, (only) ahead of Sauber and Manor.

Magnussen performs well in the race, Palmer has no reason to be ashamed of the comparison

Jan’s son joined the team quite late due to difficulties faced by Pastor Maldonado with his sponsors. The Dane then arrived as the designated team leader since, on the other side of the garage, Jolyon Palmer was making his debut in the discipline. It was during the Russian Grand Prix that Kevin Magnussen secured his best result of the year with a seventh place and six points on the scoreboard.

During the summer break, he remained the team’s top performer, but he no longer dominated his teammate as much as expected. During the Belgian Grand Prix, Magnussen suffered a terrible accident at Raidillon, which would remain one of the most memorable moments of the season.

Unharmed, he continued on his way and scored another point in Singapore. Season record: Kevin Magnussen finished 16th in the driver championship, two ranks ahead of his teammate. But he was beaten 11 to 10 in the qualifying match! The Nordic driver still scored seven points, which saved appearances for Renault in the constructors’ standings.

Association by force of circumstances, the leaders of the French brand still offered a one-year contract to the Dane. Wanting to secure his long-term future, Magnussen declined the offer for Haas and a two-year contract.

Here it is ladies & gents, the @RenaultSportF1 class of 2016. It’s been a hell of a ride! pic.twitter.com/21OICrzX4r — Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) 27 November 2016.

Jolyon Palmer, on the other hand, was starting his first season in Formula 1 this year after a year as a third driver and a few free practice sessions for the Lotus team. The 2014 GP2 champion had also signed his contract with the consent of Renault, which was in the process of acquiring the Enstone team.

His major debut on track was decent. In Australia, he challenged his teammate in qualifying and finished just outside the points in his first Grand Prix. Unfortunately for the Englishman, things became more complicated afterwards, including two consecutive retirements, one of which was an avoidable accident under the safety car in the rain.

The second part of the Briton’s season is noteworthy. He scored his first point in Malaysia and showed significant improvement in consistency towards the end of the season. As evidence, the race track battle against Magnussen ended in a perfectly balanced score: 6-6.

Palmer will still need to make the most of 2017 to progress and establish himself at Enstone, which might be a contested spot if Renault handles the new regulations well.

A significant amount of work already done for 2017

Renault quickly shifted its focus and resources toward preparations for 2017 during this year, already announced in advance as a “transition” season. The Enstone staff must hope that the turn with this new regulation is well tackled to aim for a leap forward in the hierarchy.

Regarding the engine, the teams from Viry-Châtillon will start from a blank page to design a power unit that will deliver a satisfactory performance for both the team and its partners, Red Bull and Toro Rosso.

This new season will also be an opportunity to continue improving the British factory to be able to compete with its manufacturer rivals. The wave of massive recruitment will continue to build a coherent and complete workforce, deficient after years of downsizing during the Lotus period. The impact of hiring Nico Hülkenberg on the team will also need to be observed, as they see him as a key leader to take them to the next level.

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