Renault Power Unit Hardware & Software

[ME4ME]

Probably that the architecture that was introduced in late 2015 formed the base for the 2016 unit. Since Melbourne, Renault have only introduced minor (but effective) upgrades and have been able to do their homework for 2017 knowing the token system would be disregarded.

[NL_Fer]

But it really depends on what the research team already has pre-cooked on the testbenches in 2015. The tokenrule was dropped almost beginning of 2016, they can develop some crazy stuff in a years time.

What do you mean by your first sentence? 2015 somehow limiting 2016 open development in preparation for 2017.

What is mean is, it depends if Renault was already researching in 2015 for pu designs, which would be possible if the tokenrule was banned. Or did they only used resources to test improvements of the pu, limited by the tokenrule.

[yener]

No the token system was not a restriction to test a new PU for 2016, the token system has nothing to do with that. The token only restricted major changes on a PU. So they can develop a new PU but couldn't use it.

On the 2017 PU i think they have designed and tested it since the decision of the FIA of getting rid of the token system. So they are testing since feb 2016. That's long enough to have a good reliable PU

[Vladimir]

And there is enough time for designing new car around that all new PU. In 2017. that will be crucial. All PU will have more or less the same power output. So chaise and reliability will play main part. Compare Red Bull and Renault F1 car in 2016.

[Gothrek]

And there is enough time for designing new car around that all new PU. In 2017. that will be crucial. All PU will have more or less the same power output. So chaise and reliability will play main part. Compare Red Bull and Renault F1 car in 2016.

Maybe as of 2018 all PU will have about the same power output and efficiency. There are 2 brands creating an all new concept, Honda and Renault. You cannot expect that an all new design will have the same power output as the Mercedes.

[Vladimir]

Maybe as of 2018 all PU will have about the same power output and efficiency. There are 2 brands creating an all new concept, Honda and Renault. You cannot expect that an all new design will have the same power output as the Mercedes.[/quote]
Maybe I can't expect the same power, but they will have more power in 2017 PU, than in 2016 PU for sure
And Mercedes design reach it's limits already in 2016. They could improve efficiency and reliability. Power advantage will be very minimal.

[Robbobnob]

Maybe as of 2018 all PU will have about the same power output and efficiency. There are 2 brands creating an all new concept, Honda and Renault. You cannot expect that an all new design will have the same power output as the Mercedes.

Maybe I can't expect the same power, but they will have more power in 2017 PU, than in 2016 PU for sure
And Mercedes design reach it's limits already in 2016. They could improve efficiency and reliability. Power advantage will be very minimal.[/quote]

In the same way that Renault and Honda have the ability to have a wholesale change to their core concept, Mercedes and Ferrari also get the same opportunity. Merc might have reached the limitation of their current concept due to a fundamental architecture which would have cost considerable tokens to change where they could afford to keep developing their current architecture as it still offered considerable performance gains with respect to their competition.

[roon]

Merc might maintain their engine advantages, I won't be surprised if they do. But technologies do mature within a given ruleset. Weren't the V8s pretty equal by the end of their era? F1 had become an aero & chassis formula then, away from an engine formula. So we might be moving back into an engine-equalized, aero-differentiated era again. Perhaps another reason for Nico's quick departure...

[NL_Fer]

In 2009 the v8 was equalized and frozen till the end. No natural maturing here.

Even v10 was being developed in 2005, after 10 years.

[roon]

Equalized by what parameters? Not contesting you, just curious. In comparison to how the V6s are somewhat equalized as well, considering the specificity of their regulations.

[carisi2k]

In 2009 the v8 was equalized and frozen till the end. No natural maturing here.

Even v10 was being developed in 2005, after 10 years.

Yes the v8 was frozen again in 2009 but even still mercedes had unreleased potential in there engine freeze and that allowed them to continue adding hp with a frozen spec engine. Renault used there design to power the blown diffusers which the mercedes and ferrari engine was not designed to do. Hence why Red Bull was able to get the most of this ability in the later years of the v8 formula.

[Pierce89]

Equalized by what parameters? Not contesting you, just curious. In comparison to how the V6s are somewhat equalized as well, considering the specificity of their regulations.

They let Renault have a solo upgrade to get closer in power because the other 2 were already near as dammit in power. That was their "equalization" . The only parameter was peak power within the new 18k rev limit.

[ReoPTy]

In 2009 the v8 was equalized and frozen till the end. No natural maturing here.

Even v10 was being developed in 2005, after 10 years.

Yes the v8 was frozen again in 2009 but even still mercedes had unreleased potential in there engine freeze and that allowed them to continue adding hp with a frozen spec engine. Renault used there design to power the blown diffusers which the mercedes and ferrari engine was not designed to do. Hence why Red Bull was able to get the most of this ability in the later years of the v8 formula.

at least in this v8 aera renault created something by themselves with fair competition to win with a bit less power, and wasn't ridicusly granted by fia token or freeze as mercedes was last 3 years to keep their "advantage " threating to quit F1 reducing to zero any competition

[Juzh]

Equalized by what parameters? Not contesting you, just curious. In comparison to how the V6s are somewhat equalized as well, considering the specificity of their regulations.

They let Renault have a solo upgrade to get closer in power because the other 2 were already near as dammit in power. That was their "equalization" . The only parameter was peak power within the new 18k rev limit.

Ferrari was allowed a "reliability" upgrade after their malaysian failure in 2010, gaining them 8 bhp.

[wuzak]

Equalized by what parameters? Not contesting you, just curious. In comparison to how the V6s are somewhat equalized as well, considering the specificity of their regulations.

They let Renault have a solo upgrade to get closer in power because the other 2 were already near as dammit in power. That was their "equalization" . The only parameter was peak power within the new 18k rev limit.

Ferrari was allowed a "reliability" upgrade after their malaysian failure in 2010, gaining them 8 bhp.

Another reliability upgrade was a modification to the pneumatic valve return system, which allowed them to improve fuel efficiency - something that had become important when refuelling was banned.