New recruit Nico Hulkenberg will be a key element to Renault’s 2017 campaign, according to Chief Technical officer Bob Bell.
Hulkenberg’s seven seasons in Formula One means he brings the experience the French manufacturer needs to improve after returning to the series last year.
“He’s not going to tell us what shape to make the front wing, but he’ll be very clear about what we need to do, what characteristics from the driver’s perspective the car needs,” Bell told Autosport.
“We’re moving to different tyres next year and to have someone of his experience will very much help with that transition. His experience will help with how to get the best out of them and how to manage.”
Setting up the car and dealing with the constant rule changes in F1 are skills that only come with experience, something Hulkenberg’s new teammate, Jolyon Palmer, doesn’t have much of. This is why Bell believes their new star driver will have a critical role in developing the team.
Established drivers were something Renault felt they didn’t need last season, indeed Palmer was a rookie and Kevin Magnussen only had a year at McLaren under his belt.
“It probably wouldn’t have been all that valuable in 2016, to be honest,” Bell said. “But this year, as we take another step forward, we’re now into the territory where we need an experienced driver, one of his (Nico’s) calibre to help us get the most out of that step we will take.”
Though Bell believes Hulkenberg will “be a very key element in the season” for the team, the German himself has already said that he doesn’t expect success with Renault overnight. Instead, the key job Hulkenberg will do next season, is helping the team find the right direction to grow in going forward.
“And, of course, he’ll be a focal point for the team to help motivate everybody and pull everybody forward,” Bell added.
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