Renault targets top-five position in championship

Renault says fifth place in the constructors’ championship is its target for the upcoming season, as it unveiled its RS.17 during a ceremony in London on Tuesday.

Renault returned to Formula 1 last season as a manufacturer team but mustered only three points finishes to place ninth overall in the standings, ahead of just Sauber and Manor.

The team, which will field Nico Hülkenberg and Jolyon Palmer this season, has now been tasked with gaining four positions in the championship compared to 2016.

“We are aiming for fifth in the constructors’ championship and it’s clear that to achieve this we need to be scoring points regularly,” said Managing Director Cyril Abiteboul.

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“This is a target for the team collectively, and the drivers individually.

“In terms of our drivers, Nico joins us with a lot of experience and talent.

“We expect him to deliver from day one and we are confident this will be the case.

“Jolyon had a strong rookie season where he developed and performed well and we expect the natural continuation of this.

“Both drivers should complement each other and the team should flourish with this pairing.

“2017 will be the second season of what is a long-term plan. We are not expecting miracles overnight, but we are clear on where we ultimately want to be.”

Abiteboul believes the targets are realistic due to the greater assimilation between factories in Enstone and Viry-Châtillon.

“This will be the first season where we are operating from the outset as one team so it is a good foundation year,” he said.

“Last year saw us use a car which was put together in a very rapid timeframe. This year we have been able to work on our car in an integrated fashion between Enstone and Viry.

“This car and this season should see us achieve strong progress.”