The Renault R.S.17 is a Formula One racing car designed and constructed by the Renault Sport Formula One Team to compete during the 2017 Formula One season. The chassis was designed by Nick Chester, Chris Cooney, Martin Tolliday and Jon Tomlinson with Bob Bell overseeing the design and production of the car as chief technical officer and Rémi Taffin leading the powertrain design. The Renault R.S.17 was the first car designed under Renault's direction since the R31 in 2011.

Renault R.S.17
Nico Hülkenberg driving the R.S.17 at the Malaysian Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorRenault
Designer(s)
PredecessorRenault R.S.16
SuccessorRenault R.S.18
Technical specifications[1][2]
ChassisMoulded carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)Upper and lower carbon fibre wishbone and pushrod activated torsion springs and rockers
Suspension (rear)Upper and lower carbon fibre wishbone and pull-rod activated torsion springs and rockers
Width2,000 mm (79 in)
Height950 mm (37 in)
Axle track
  • F: 1,600 mm (63 in)
  • R: 1,550 mm (61 in)
EngineMecachrome-built and assembled Renault R.E.17 turbocharged 1.6L (98 cu in) V6 engine, limited to 15,000 RPM in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel-drive layout
Electric motorMotor Generator Unit–Kinetic and
Motor Generator Unit–Heat
TransmissionRenault semi-automatic sequential gearbox with eight forward and one reverse gear
Weight728 kg (1,605.0 lb) (incl. driver)
FuelBP
LubricantsCastrol EDGE
BrakesBrembo carbon brake discs, pads and calipers
AP Master cylinders
Tyres
  • Pirelli P Zero (Dry/Slick)
  • Pirelli Cinturato (Wet/Treaded)
  • OZ Racing Wheels: 13"
Competition history
Notable entrantsRenault Sport F1 Team
Notable drivers
Debut2017 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
200000

The car was initially driven by Nico Hülkenberg and Jolyon Palmer.[3] Hülkenberg joined the team after Kevin Magnussen left the team at the end of the 2016 season, while Palmer was replaced by Carlos Sainz Jr. from the 2017 United States Grand Prix onwards.[4] The R.S.17 made its competitive début at the 2017 Australian Grand Prix.

The R.S.17 was the first Renault F1 car featured with a shark fin since the R30 in 2010.

Livery

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At the Monaco Grand Prix, the team commemorated Star Wars' 40th anniversary with the logo featured on the front side. At the United States Grand Prix, the car ran with a pink sidepods and fin to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Competition history

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Hülkenberg scored points eight times, but retired on six occasions. His best result was 6th place in Spain, Great Britain, Belgium and Abu Dhabi.

Palmer struggled to score any points until the chaotic Singapore Grand Prix, where he scored a career-best 6th place and eight Championship points. Sainz's first drive for the team saw him finish in 7th place. The team finished the season in 6th place in the constructors' standings, scoring 57 points. This result was considerably stronger than the previous year, where the team scored a mere 8 points.

 
Jolyon Palmer driving the R.S.17 at the Canadian Grand Prix
 
Sainz at the Mexican Grand Prix

Complete Formula One results

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Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers Grands Prix Points WCC
AUS CHN BHR RUS ESP MON CAN AZE AUT GBR HUN BEL ITA SIN MAL JPN USA MEX BRA ABU
2017 Renault Sport Formula One Team Renault R.E. 17 P
Nico Hülkenberg 11 12 9 8 6 Ret 8 Ret 13 6 17† 6 13 Ret 16 Ret Ret Ret 10 6 57 6th
Jolyon Palmer Ret 13 13 Ret 15 11 11 Ret 11 DNS 12 13 Ret 6 15 12
Carlos Sainz Jr. 7 Ret 11 Ret
Notes
  • † – Driver failed to finish the race, but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.

References

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  1. ^ Keith Collantine (17 June 2016). "Pirelli confirms new three-year F1 deal to 2019". f1fanatic.co.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  2. ^ "R.S.17 Technical Specification". renaultsport.com. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  3. ^ "F1 - 2017 Provisional Entry List". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 6 December 2016. Archived from the original on 6 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  4. ^ Green, Jonathan; Galloway, James (8 October 2017). "Jolyon Palmer out at Renault, Carlos Sainz in, after Japanese GP". Sky Sports. Suzuka. Retrieved 6 June 2023.