Renault has announced that Pete Machin will become its new aerodynamic chief in Formula 1 from July 3 as part of an ongoing recruitment drive by the French manufacturer.
Renault returned to F1 as a constructor in 2016 after taking over the financially-ailing Lotus operation, placing a focus on rebuilding the team and planning for the future.
As part of this push, Renault confirmed on Tuesday that Machin would be joining the team on July 3, having previously worked with Red Bull on its championship-winning cars from 2010 to 2013. Machin also worked with Jaguar and Arrows in F1, as well as starting his career at Bombardier Aerospace.
"We are very pleased to welcome Pete Machin to Enstone. Aerodynamics are obviously a hugely important element of the performance equation so to enlist Pete is a particular highlight of our recent recruitment programme," Renault Sport Racing managing director Cyril Abiteboul said.
"The latest generation of regulations are, if anything, more aero-crucial than before so to have Pete join us at such a time of exciting evolution will be of the greatest benefit.
"Pete will fit into our existing structure and we expect to see the fruits of his labours come on stream later in the year. This announcement is tremendously exciting for everyone at Renault Sport Racing.”
"It is clear that Renault Sport is serious about mounting a fresh challenge within F1 and I am happy to join the team," Machin added.
"Bob Bell headed-up the technical team when Renault last won world championships as a constructor, so I’m very much looking forward to working with him in my new role with that same achievement as the target. I have previously worked closely with both Nick Chester and Ciaron Pilbeam too, so I have good familiarity with some key personnel as well as the aspirations.
"The technical regulation changes for 2017 are the first significant change in four years and will allow F1 cars to achieve greater downforce than at any other time in the history of the sport, so it’s a very exciting time to be taking charge of aero development at Renault Sport Racing and I am confident in getting the team back to the sharp end of the grid."
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