Although the collapse of the Lotus F1 Team was devastating, there was one positive thing that came from this: the legendary Renault F1 Team will be returning to Formula One. As we prepare to begin the first pre-season test at Barcelona in a few weeks, fans have high hopes for returning team in 2016. Although it’s possible for the team to be quite successful, team management has stated otherwise.
Built from the ashes of the Lotus F1 Team, which was in fatal financial troubles and in the process of being sued by the UK tax authorities, the Renault F1 Team has returned to the Formula One grid following a five year absence. Of course, the French car manufacturer was still involved in Formula One when the Renault F1 Team became Lotus in 2011, supplying engines to a few of the teams on the grid. However, the Renault name carries quite a large reputation for success.
Although they weren’t able to earn any championship titles from 1977 to 1985, Équipe Renault Elf was a popular team which was most well-known for two of their French drivers: René Arnoux and Alain Prost. During this era, the team narrowly missed out on the World Championship titles in 1983, having finished third in the championship during the two seasons previous. When they returned as the Renault F1 Team in 2002, they were more successful. With Fernando Alonso behind the wheel, they earned two consecutive World Championship titles and signed other popular faces like Jarno Trulli and Giancarlo Fisichella. With such a big reputation for success in the sport, some people expect Renault to return to the grid and experience an equal amount of success.
However, the Renault Sport Racing Managing Director, Cyril Abiteboul, has downplayed these expectations: “In Formula 1, we have to be realistic about 2016. In some areas we are playing catch-up – it’s no secret that we missed the start of the new power unit regulations and Enstone needs a bit of TLC. This is a year to re-build relations, re-energise both Enstone and Viry and create synergies within the Renault Sport Racing group and the wider Renault-Nissan Alliance. That’s not to say that we will write off the year, but we are aiming to put everything in place for improved success in 2017.”
Success is possible in 2016, but expecting immediate results would put the team in a similar position as McLaren and Honda were in 2015. As you may recall, McLaren and Honda decided to reignite their previous successful partnership that won championships in the era of Ayrton Senna. Because of the past reputation of the McLaren-Honda partnership, fans were greatly disappointed when the McLaren car suffered from various performance issues throughout the season and failed to get the results that they had in the ‘80s and ’90s.
Renault may be very much the same way. Not only does have the team been absent from Formula One for some time, but they will also need to work to repair the damage caused by the Lotus F1 Team’s financial crisis. Although the team will have the advantage of team personnel from Lotus, who had worked in the sport last season, it is irrational to expect high results right out of the gates.
“We have a focus on developing the building blocks to help us progress for 2017,” explained the team’s chassis technical director, Nick Chester. “We want to improve reliability, develop the integration between the chassis and the power unit, all with the target of having a far more integrated car for the future. A lot of our focus is also about building the team and the infrastructure. 2016 is about getting the car out and learning lessons on track as we build the team rather than having set aspirations for on-track performance.”
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