Renault strengthens its technical organization chart

Since its return to F1 in 2016, Renault has constantly stated that it is a long-term program and that victories or titles should not be expected before 2020 and the planned technical revolution. So far, the strategy is being followed as the team moved from 9th place in 2016 to 4th place last year.

Except that this start to the season is far from ambitious, as the team sits in an inglorious 7th place after four races. The issue is not with the drivers, as the team has a very solid duo with the costly addition (around 30 million euros per season) of Daniel Ricciardo alongside Nico Hülkenberg.

Its engine, much criticized by Red Bull until last year, has nevertheless won victories in past seasons, and McLaren, equipped with the French power unit, seems to be making a comeback, currently standing as the best of the rest in fourth position.

The problem seems to be on the chassis side. However, it’s in Viry-Chatillon that two new departments are created: Christophe Mary is appointed Director of Engineering. He will arrive from neighbor PSA on August 1st, after spending four years there. He has solid F1 experience, having spent 14 years at Ferrari and four at Mercedes. As for Stéphane Rodriguez, a long-time company member, he is appointed Director of Projects and Procurement within the Technical Department.

At Enstone, responsible for chassis development, it was decided to promote Matt Harman, currently deputy chief designer and another defector from Mercedes, who is appointed director of engineering within the Technical Department and will report to Nick Chester.

Now it remains to be seen if these new faces will enable the leap forward that has been promised since 2016. If not, it would be time to look at the upper echelon, left untouched since the leadership battle that led to the departure of Frédéric Vasseur and the takeover by Cyril Abiteboul.

With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr