Renault launches 2017 F1 car

After Williams and Sauber shared the first images of their new F1 challengers, Renault launched its RS17 in London on Tuesday.

Black has been added to Renault's traditional yellow livery, in the French manufacturer's second season back as a works team.

The re-shaped rear wing and the thumb-tip nose design are similar to that of the two 2017 cars seen so far, and it also sports the shark fin expected to feature on all cars this year.

It will be powered by the new RE17 engine, which is a departure from last year's power unit, having undergone a radical overhaul after Renault felt the old design had reached its maximum potential.

"The objectives is very simple, since we have for the first time a car that has been developed by us, we expect to be fifth in the championship," Renault Sport Racing president Jerome Stoll said.

"We have the team, the drivers, the partners and an organisation that is now managed under the leadership of Cyril [Abiteboul], and Bob Bell, so frankly I would say that we are hungry for the podium and hungry for success now."

Renault is aiming to bounce back from a dismal 2016 season it finished in ninth position, having scored just eight points.

The team spent a big part of 2016 restructuring and recruiting new staff, although team principal Fred Vasseur parted company with Renault last month, citing differences of opinion among the senior management.

Its recent hires include former Red Bull man Pete Machin as its head of aerodynamics, and Ciaron Pilbeam from McLaren as chief race engineer.

"We are the fastest growing F1 team, we have increased by 25% the headcount, some targeted recruitment," Abiteboul added.

"We have been investing to catch up - I think we lead [in that aspect].

"Looking at the regulations, we have best of what the technology can offer."

Nico Hulkenberg joins Renault from Force India to partner Jolyon Palmer, replacing Haas-bound Kevin Magnussen.