Renault appoints Red Bull's Machin head of aero

Renault has expanded its aerodynamics team by hiring Pete Machin as its new head of aerodynamics.

Machin joins the team from Red Bull and will start work at Enstone on July 3. Having started his career as an aerodynamicist at Bombardier Aerospace, Machin moved to Arrows in 1997 and then joined Jaguar in 2002. Following Red Bull's takeover of Jaguar, Machin remained with the team and worked on wind tunnel development of the Renault-powered championship winning RB6, RB7, RB8 and RB9 cars that helped the team dominate from 2010 onward.

Having most recently worked as aerodynamics team leader at Red Bull, Machin says he was enticed by Renault's ambition to win championships.

"It is clear that Renault Sport is serious about mounting a fresh challenge within F1 and I am happy to join the team," Machin said. "Bob Bell headed up the technical team when Renault last won world championships as a constructor, so I'm very much looking forward to working with him in my new role with that same achievement as the target. I have previously worked closely with both [chassis technical director] Nick Chester and [chief race engineer] Ciaron Pilbeam too, so I have good familiarity with some key personnel as well as the aspirations.

"The technical regulation changes for 2017 are the first significant change in four years and will allow F1 cars to achieve greater downforce than at any other time in the history of the sport, so it's a very exciting time to be taking charge of aero development at Renault Sport Racing and I am confident in getting the team back to the sharp end of the grid."

Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul describes Machin as one of the team's headline signings as it continues its restructuring, highlighted by the fact former head of aerodynamics Jon Tomlinson will take on the role of deputy and report to the new recruit.

"We are very pleased to welcome Pete Machin to Enstone," Abiteboul said. "Aerodynamics are obviously a hugely important element of the performance equation so to enlist Pete is a particular highlight of our recent recruitment program.

"The latest generation of regulations are, if anything, more aero-crucial than before so to have Pete join us at such a time of exciting evolution will be of the greatest benefit. Pete will fit into our existing structure and we expect to see the fruits of his labors come on stream later in the year. This announcement is tremendously exciting for everyone at Renault Sport Racing."