Renault has sped up their F1 investment plan as they look to achieve their ultimate goal in a shorter time frame.
The French manufacturer was initially aiming to battle for titles five years after rejoining Formula One at the start of this year. That would have allowed them substantial time and resources to rebuild the Enstone-based team from almost the ground up after they purchased a majority stake in the cash-strapped Lotus team.
But just six months into the project, and with only six points in the constructors’ championship, Renault have decided they are not prepared to wait five years for success.
“Talking about investment, the one thing we are doing is bringing forward our plans and increasing the total package,” managing director Cyril Abiteboul told Autosport.
“We had put together a five-year plan, with an investment package, but a couple of weeks ago we had approval to increase that package and bring it forward.
“What we want is to make a difference as quickly as possible, and for that there is no better way than to accelerate what we need to do over the five-year plan.”
Renault is now focusing solely on 2017 when the regulations are due to change and Abiteboul is pleased with the progress the team has already made and continues to make in their bid to be world champions once again.
“On the engine side we are completely to plan and the fact we have good reliability this season is fantastic as it allows us to really focus on performance for the future,” he said.
“The 2017 engine will very soon be on the dyno, and there is really good stuff coming.
“It’s really ambitious, but I’m super happy with the structure we have and the ambition on the engine side.
“On the chassis, there is a big change in the aero regulations, but again we have set ourselves an aggressive target in terms of aero development.
“Each time we are putting the 2017 car into the windtunnel there are big steps, a big, big chunk of downforce, which will ultimately bring laptime, so it’s good.”
