Renault set for engine updates at Spa and Monza

Renault will bring software and hardware Formula 1 engine updates to the upcoming Belgian and Italian Grands Prix, says engine chief Remi Taffin.

Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17

Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17 passes Jolyon Palmer, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17

Jolyon Palmer, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17, Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17

Jolyon Palmer, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17 and Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17

The French manufacturer was hit by reliability headaches in the early part of the season and remains third in the engine pecking order, behind Mercedes and Ferrari.

Although it is not planning any major updates until next year, Taffin has confirmed it will bring improvements to the next two races where power will be key, with more planned later in the year.

“Spa and Monza will see new software and hardware updates,” he said. “We are looking at Monza as a benchmark as it could provide a clear picture of the ranking of the engines.

“Being in the top 10 will be a good result as these next two circuits are power-hungry.

“After Monza, we have more races and more things in the pipeline, the next two months will be important for the 2017 season outcome.”

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Taffin said Renault is focusing on ensuring reliability is good for the remained of the season so the works team can achieve its target of the being the fourth quickest car by the end of the year.

“We know we’re not the fastest on the grid, but as a team we are showing we are the force after the top three,” he said.

“Qualifying pace has looked good with Great Britain and Hungary exemplifying our ability to be the fourth-best team. It’s just a case of building on that and bettering the race pace.

“That comes from levelling up everything, we need to show off reliability and mileage and that is something we are giving close attention.

“We are on a good trend and we will keep adding performance in terms of both aerodynamics and engine so hopefully this can be seen in the upcoming races.”

Though Spa is a circuit which demands high power output, Taffin is still confident Renault, which is currently eighth in the constructors’ championship, can continue its upward trajectory.

“We have the potential for a good result,” he said. “Over the last few races our cars have been performing well and I can’t see any reason why Spa can’t continue that trend.

“Spa will be strenuous on the power unit given around 67 percent of the lap is spent at full throttle. But we have drivers driving well, a chassis that is performing well and an engine which is on track; it’s all pointing in the right direction.”