Renault has revealed a number of internal changes in position as the team look to capitalise on the 2021 Formula 1 rule changes.
Since returning as a constructor in 2016, the French manufacturer made swift progress through the midfield to finish fourth in last season’s Constructors’ Championship.
The past year, however, has seen that rate of improvement drop and in 2019, they have fallen short of expectations in terms of results and also performance.
As a result, their attention is now switching to 2021 as the earliest opportunity to potentially close the gap to the front and once again become a title-contending team with the restructuring key to that bid.
In a press release, Renault revealed two new positions within the engine department based in Viry in France with Christophe Mary joining as the director of engineering on August 1st.
Mary has recently been working with PSA Motorsport but has 18 years experience within F1 working first for Ferrari for 14 years before joining Mercedes’ engine division for four years.
In addition, Stephane Rodriguez will become the new project and purchasing director within the technical department.
This is an internal promotion with Rodriguez a part of Renault’s Sport division since 2001 in various roles ranging from the head of reliability and testing to the current project manager.
The press release also confirmed both members will report to Renault’s engine chief, Remi Taffin.
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Meanwhile, at their works team based at Enstone, Matt Harman will be appointed engineering director under the leadership of chassis chief Nick Chester.
Harman joined Renault last year as deputy chief designer following 18 years at Mercedes, with his final role focused on the integration of the engine to the gearbox and the chassis.
As the introduction to the press release noted: “Beyond their impact on the 2019 and 2020 seasons, these changes are a significant step towards preparing both organisations to the challenges of the 2021 season and meeting the objectives of the roadmap set in 2016.”
A final agreement on the regulation for 2021 is expected soon with a deadline currently set for June, though may be pushed back until October or December.
