Jolyon Palmer hopes Renault can achieve fifth-fastest team target as Renault eye big progress in 2017
Wednesday 22 February 2017 10:42, UK
Jolyon Palmer is hopeful Renault's newly-launched RS17 can hit the team's target of being Formula 1's fifth-fastest car this season.
And the British driver has suggested he can start dreaming of a first F1 podium should the French outfit deliver the right package.
After Williams and Sauber's digital reveals, Renault became the first F1 team to physically launch their 2017 challenger in London, with the RS17 the first car they have built from the ground up since their return to the sport last year.
Renault launch RS17: Video and reaction
The manufacturer team finished ninth in the constructors' standings last season in a campaign plagued by unreliability, but Renault Sport Racing president Jerome Stoll insisted fifth was the target for the sport's 'rules refresh'.
And Palmer, who was retained by Renault for 2017, agreed - and thought about a best possible outcome on a race weekend.
"I hope it's a realistic target because if we are targeting fifth then we are in the top 10 of the drivers' [championship]," Palmer told Sky Sports News HQ.
"And from there, if results go your way and you have a strong weekend, you can dream of having a podium in the year, which for me would be fantastic.
"Last year we couldn't do what we wanted to do with the car because of the previous Lotus days, now we've got a car that's properly designed and integrated between chassis and engine. I really believe in the team and think we can do a good job this year."
Nico Hulkenberg joined his new team-mate at the launch, with the German starting a new chapter of his career after ending his five-year stint with Force India.
Hulkenberg wasn't the only fresh recruit on show, with Sergey Sirotkin officially confirmed as the team's reserve driver, while four-time world champion Alain Prost has been brought in as a 'special advisor' as Renault look to return to the front of the grid.
But despite these lofty ambitions, Hulkenberg - without a podium in his 115 Grands Prix starts - believes 2017 represents another stepping stone in the team's development as they aim to build up to title challengers by the end of the decade.
"We are very optimistic but at the same time you have to be realistic," said Hulkenberg.
"Renault came from a long way back last year and I think we have a lot of work to do to catch up to the midfield, not even talking about the very front.
"I just want to grow with the team, build the team step-by-step. I still think this is a bit of a build-up year for us ahead of hopefully bigger success in the upcoming years."
Hulkenberg was, however, excited by Renault's new car, claiming it looks "racy, fast and aggressive", with technical chief Bob Bell adding that the car should be around four seconds quicker than last year's.
"I'm really excited and looking forward to it," Hulkenberg added. "It's a new chapter, a new team and I really look forward to get to the track, start working with the new people and get down to business."
The first F1 pre-season test starts on Monday, February 27 and the Sky Sports F1 Digital team will be providing live commentary from dawn until dusk on all four days while Sky Sports News HQ will also deliver live updates from trackside.
