Formula 1: First Renault, then Mercedes
FORMULA 1 Renault Sport was the first factory team to present its GP race car for the 2017 Formula 1 World Championship in London on Tuesday. Not just static, but in the course of a film drive at Silverstone, Mercedes-AMG unveiled the new-generation car on Thursday. Most Formula One teams no longer bother to show off their respective new race cars at a special presentation [...]
Most Formula 1 teams no longer bother to show off their respective new race cars at a special presentation. Williams and Sauber were the first teams to show off their new cars at the beginning of the week - they simply put their studio pictures online. Then on Tuesday, Renault invited key media from around the world - including AutoSprintCH - to London for the presentation of the R.S.17. 40 years after the premiere of the French in Formula 1 (nota bene with a groundbreaking V6 turbo engine), the most modern and certainly fastest race car in the history of Equipe Renault also features a yellow-sharp paint scheme.
Of course, the Renault people are hoping that their attention will also be focused on the race track. But that requires good results. With Nico Hülkenberg as the new driving spearhead, these should be better than in 2016. But the former Sauber driver isn't expecting any miracles yet.
Nico Hülkenberg: "As a team, we are still in the development phase. However, there is optimism among everyone. What I've seen in person so far in England and in France leaves me in no doubt that we'll make a leap forward sooner or later. But it's still too early for podiums under normal circumstances this year."
The new chassis was created at the Enstone factory, and a completely new V6 turbocharged engine at Renault Sport in Viry-Châtillon. "This would not have been necessary by regulation, but we wanted it that way," Bob Bell, Technical Director at Renault Sport Formula One Team, told us.
The only drop of bitterness from a Swiss point of view is that the Grisons-based engine wizard Mario Illien and his company Ilmor in England are no longer Renault partners. According to Bob Bell, Renault Sport has exercised its option and terminated the 3-year contract prematurely in 2017 after just one season.
Bob Bell: "We don't have unlimited resources and came to the realization that we now have enough know-how to use elsewhere and develop the engine ourselves." Illien's groundwork will undoubtedly benefit Renault and, with them, the Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso customer teams...
F1 W08 EQ Power+: Racing advertising vehicle for a new technology designation
The most striking thing about the new Silver Arrow is its complicated model designation: W08 EQ Power+. Formula 1 as an advertising medium, because this refers to the new technology designation for all future Mercedes-AMG plug-in hybrids. EQ stands for "Electric Intelligence" and is intended to represent emotion and intelligence, two Mercedes-Benz brand values.
The new model designation has been vividly incorporated into the F1 W08's livery. It is represented on the car by an electric blue visualization of the air flow from the front wing to the ends of the sidepods. This characteristic was derived from the electric look of the Concept EQ presented in Paris in 2016.
The M08 EQ Power+ power unit is the fourth expansion stage of the turbo hybrid generation. It was developed to withstand the significantly greater physical stresses resulting from the application of the new rules as well as a tougher duty cycle. At the same time, potential performance developments should be exploited to the full.
Team boss Toto Wolff: "This year, further development over the course of the season will play a big role in the outcome of the world championship. No one knows where they will stand at the first race. But I'm confident that we have the right people and skills for every situation to master any challenges that arise along the way. This season, our factory team can show its true strength."
One of the biggest changes for the new season is newcomer Valtteri Bottas. The Finn replaces the retired world champion Nico Rosberg. With three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, Bottas will have the strongest teammate of his Formula 1 career to date. He can only grow with him - or fail.
The testing program for all ten Formula One teams begins next Monday in Barcelona. After two times four days of testing, the 2017 GP season will open on the weekend of March 26 in Melbourne, Australia.
