Renault engine can beat Mercedes

During the cold winter months, we’ve often noticed that there is usually one team that shouts the loudest.

For example, twelve months ago it was Ferrari, the Italian manufacturers were sure that 2016 was going to be their year, their developments would see them not only match but better the all conquering Mercedes team who had taken back-to-back titles with Lewis Hamilton.

We all know how that turned out, with not only Mercedes continuing their dominance, but in the end, Ferrari were even bettered by Red Bull Racing.

That momentum is hoped to run into 2017, both for Red Bull and engine manufacturer Renault.

The gap was closing in 2016, but new regulations have enabled engines to have a rapid development period, something Renault hope will see them beat Mercedes.

‘We have got to confirm the turnaround that we started last year ? because it is not completed yet, We have a completely new engine architecture that we are introducing this year, and the first challenge with that will be to make it reliable. Renault’s F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul told motorsport.com.

‘We already know for sure that it will offer the potential of performance to match Mercedes. There is absolutely no doubt about that. And maybe in the future the potential to overtake them.

‘But first it has to be reliable. That is the main challenge and that is what we want to get.