Renault engine chief Rémi Taffin says the manufacturer must be wary to balance performance gains with reliability as it bids to close the deficit to pacesetters Mercedes in 2017.
Renault languished behind Mercedes upon the introduction of 1.6 litre V6 power units in 2014, and struggled for both reliability and performance in 2015, before making noticeable gains last year.
The manufacturer has targeted further gains against leaders Mercedes, but Taffin is aware that Renault must ensure it maintains its reliability while striving for greater performance.
“Last year we wanted to cut the gap to the best performing power unit on the grid in half whilst becoming the most reliable power unit on the grid, which is something we feel we achieved,” he said.
“For 2017 we want to close the rest of the gap. This is a high target, and the margin performance gains will be hard won.
“The harder you push for performance the more you encroach on the safety zone for reliability, so it’s a balance which has to be juggled. It’s a battle we relish and which energises everyone.”
Taffin is confident that the increased working relationship between the chassis and engine sides of Renault will provide a further boost, with last year’s car, provisionally designed under the Lotus guise, having been initially designed for a Mercedes engine.
“This is the first car we’ve built as one team with the chassis and the power unit teams both working hand in hand to ensure the chassis can accommodate the power unit as efficiently as possible,” he explained.
“There’s been a lot of interaction throughout the design phase of both elements which wasn’t possible with our previous car.
“It’s highly beneficial to be working in this manner and we’re hoping to see this reflected by our results on track.
“The power unit is made to suit the car, and this is a fundamental difference [compared to 2016]. The engine and the chassis fit together, and not like a puzzle with the R.S.16! The R.S.17 is far more homogeneous.”
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