Frederic Vasseur: "Our driver line up for 2017 shows our intent"
- Published on 17 Dec 2016 10:15
-
- By: Fergal Walsh
Team principal at Renault Frederic Vasseur believes that the team's driver line up for next season shows thier intent.
Nico Hulkenberg will leave Force India after three consecutive years racing at the Silverstone based team to join Renault in search of a new challenge.
Renault also decided to retain Jolyon Palmer, who completed his maiden season in Formula One in 2016. Renault initially approached Kevin Magnussen, but after the Dane felt there was no commitment offered from the team, he left to join Haas.
“Our driver line up for 2017 shows our intent and aspirations," Vasseur said. "Nico comes to the team at a perfect time for both us and him. He has experience of working with different teams, including those we expect to be our rivals next season.
"As well as a significant amount of experience, he has youth and hunger on his side. He has been a driver hungry for the right opportunity to help build a team and we are that team. It’s a perfect match.
“Jolyon has shown great development over the course of his rookie season with us, combined with his motivating approach and team spirit, and we feel we have a very good driver line-up for what we want to achieve in 2017.”
5
Replies (2)
Login to replyJutlandia
Posts: 191
Fred, are you trying to fool us?
Hulk may be a good move but Palmer?
Everybody knows that at least 5 or 6 drivers was asked before Kev was asked.
But he had the nerve to say no to a 1 year deal, and then made a 2 year contract with Haas.
So last option was Palmer. Do you think we are idiots, Fred?
NEXT SPARE VAMP
Posts: 1,874
You're right, Jutlandia. Renault made a stupid decission to let Kevin go. He was obviously much better than Palmer.
I think they are simply using Palmer's money now to pay Hülkenberg. In 2018, when they have developed their car and will probably more sponsors, they will most likely sack Palmer and replace him with a decent driver.