RENAULT RELIABILITY AIM FORT HER. S .18
R enault chiefs have set a target of being inside the top three in terms of mileage during this week’s first pre-season test as it pushes to iron out any flaws in its new R.S.18 challenger.
Renault didn’t give much away on the launch of its new car last week, with the machine looking largely like an optimisation of the car that finished 2017 as a regular points-scorer.
Where Renault has reportedly made significant gains is in its engine department, with sources suggesting both power and reliability gains from the unit.
The team’s technical head Bob Bell said: “We need a strong reliability record, and we have worked hard on that area over the winter. We need the car as reliable as we can make it. That’s a huge challenge, even more so than performance development.
“To improve reliability you have to accept nothing less than perfection. Anything that ends up on the car must be built to the highest possible standard. Reliability is not something you can flick on like a switch.
“We want a trouble-free test programme to validate the performance of the car and then move forward.”
Renault Sport engine head Remi Taffin added: “We did see our power unit on the top step of the podium three times last year [with Red Bull], so it’s clear we have the potential to achieve our aspirations. We need to raise our game across the board, and all the elements to do this are here. Our first priority is reliability. We started designing the 2018 engine in 2016 and have completed more hours on the dyno than ever.”