2017 Renault Sport F1 Team - Renault

[Vladimir]

Finally, thank dear lord !

[ME4ME]

Surprised it didn't happen earlier. He was dealt poor luck and unreliability but the man didn't perform even when he had the chance. He got crushed by his team-mate. I cannot remember a driver, rookies excluded, that got beaten as badly as Palmer got in 2017.

[PlatinumZealot]

Kimi raikonen 2014....

[Vasconia]

Palmer to leave Renault after Japanese GP.

Palmer did not set the F1 world alight but one has to feel he has been treated really quite poorly by Renault.

What a sport it's become.

I am happy to see Sainz going to Renault but it would be better to wait until 2018. Its pretty difficult to enter in a team when only four races are left to finish the season.

Strange enough, Palmer has been replaced when his performance was being better than ever. Well, nothing oustanding but at least he was much closer to Hulkenberg.

[Manoah2u]

Alonso 2.0

[Vasconia]

Now Renault has a truly competitive line-up. What do expect from Sainz for those last races? Nico should beat him but at least I expect Carlos to be very close.

[Andres125sx]

This Sainz move is only for the rest of the season? What about 2018?

[GPR-A duplicate2]

This Sainz move is only for the rest of the season? What about 2018?

His deal was originally for 2018, but they saw an opportunity to bring him earlier than 2018 and they went for it. He and Hulk are the driver pair for 2018.

[Manoah2u]

Would be harsh though if Honda's words - though Hasegawa himself stated it was misinterpreted - about fighting for 3rd actually turn out to be correct........

[Jolle]

Now Renault has a truly competitive line-up. What do expect from Sainz for those last races? Nico should beat him but at least I expect Carlos to be very close.

I don’t think they are aiming for real results for Sainz for the last few races. This is a way to get a flying start for 2018, perfect moment to get used to the team, the routines and to get a feel of the 2018 car in their simulator.

Guess the “I’m in a new car” disadvantage is around .3 - .5 of a second, and in the midfield that’s a big gap.

2018 is what counts.

[rscsr]

Now Renault has a truly competitive line-up. What do expect from Sainz for those last races? Nico should beat him but at least I expect Carlos to be very close.

I don’t think they are aiming for real results for Sainz for the last few races. This is a way to get a flying start for 2018, perfect moment to get used to the team, the routines and to get a feel of the 2018 car in their simulator.

Guess the “I’m in a new car” disadvantage is around .3 - .5 of a second, and in the midfield that’s a big gap.

2018 is what counts.

My guess is that they hope to become 6th. They are just 10 points behind Toro Rosso by effectively using only 1 car. When Sainz is able to lose less than 0.3s per lap in the race he should be able to score some points.
Additionally they took the only driver from Toro Rosso who was able to score a significant amount of points. And therefore there might be quite a big chance that the transfer is paying for itself.

And of course if it doesn't work out that way he should be able provide some input for next year's car.

[Restomaniac]

Sainz now finds himself in a tricky situation.
Does he spill his guts to his loan team on any info he has to further his car in 2018. Or does he see the long game at Red Bull and keep it under his hat knowing that he doesn't want to annoy the Red Bull 'collective group'.

Yes Renault have poached from the FIA but by the time he is in place it will be too late to drastically effect the 2018 car. Sainz may have more relevant info that can actually help his drive in 2018 but that may upset his parent team's owners.

[Tomer]

I'm very happy to hear this

[Vasconia]

Now Renault has a truly competitive line-up. What do expect from Sainz for those last races? Nico should beat him but at least I expect Carlos to be very close.

I don’t think they are aiming for real results for Sainz for the last few races. This is a way to get a flying start for 2018, perfect moment to get used to the team, the routines and to get a feel of the 2018 car in their simulator.

Guess the “I’m in a new car” disadvantage is around .3 - .5 of a second, and in the midfield that’s a big gap.

2018 is what counts.

My guess is that they hope to become 6th. They are just 10 points behind Toro Rosso by effectively using only 1 car. When Sainz is able to lose less than 0.3s per lap in the race he should be able to score some points.
Additionally they took the only driver from Toro Rosso who was able to score a significant amount of points. And therefore there might be quite a big chance that the transfer is paying for itself.

And of course if it doesn't work out that way he should be able provide some input for next year's car.

I agree with both of you. Sainz will help Renault to achieve the 6th position which should be quite easy. And those races will help him to know the car and the team, and perhaps give some input to the new car.

[Andres125sx]

This Sainz move is only for the rest of the season? What about 2018?

His deal was originally for 2018, but they saw an opportunity to bring him earlier than 2018 and they went for it. He and Hulk are the driver pair for 2018.

Good to know, thanks