Don't want to talk about a transitional year - Vasseur

  • Published on 08 Feb 2016 16:50
  • comments 1
  • By: Rob Veenstra

The Renault works team is expecting Red Bull to perform well in 2016. After the run of V8-powered titles earlier this decade, Red Bull and Renault have struggled in the new 'power unit' era and decided to split for 2016.

Renault has bought back its old Enstone-based works team, while Red Bull is rebranding its engines for 2016 as 'Tag Heuer' as it reverts to customer status. Now setting to the task of rebuilding the beleaguered former Lotus outfit, however, Renault does not expect good results for itself in 2016.

"I do not want to talk about a transitional year because in France I have known transitional years that become a decade," new team boss Frederic Vasseur told the French daily L'Equipe. "We must prepare now for 2017. The pitstop, for example, must be 2.4 seconds, even if we fight for 18th place. It takes time to learn how to win, but it is forgotten very quickly. Also, we cannot overlook that we also supply Red Bull," Vasseur continued. "They know well how to win. They make top cars and our engine should help with that."

But Vasseur said he cannot imagine that Mercedes will be toppled from top spot by anyone in 2016. "Currently," he said, "of the 22 cars on the grid, there are only two that can win. And they are Mercedes. Maybe (Ferrari's Sebastian) Vettel on occasion," Vasseur added. (GMM)

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • khasmir

    Posts: 893

    You don't fool me, with such a late decision on buying back Lotus this can be nothing but a transitional year. They need to rebuild the team at the same time they are competing on track so what else could this year be?
    This does not have to be a bad thing, just look at Ferrari. 2015 was a transitional year for them but with very good results.
    The benchmark for Renault in 2016 will most likely be Red Bull. First they will need to beat their customer team with the same PU before they can take on Ferrari and Merc.

    • + 0
    • Feb 8 2016 - 18:50

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 08:10

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 08:10

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar