London: The Renault Formula One team unveiled their new-look 2017 car on Tuesday with an eye on a top-five finish in the championship, and possible podium finishes, after struggling among the back-markers last season.

The former world champions returned as full constructors in 2016, after taking over the failing Lotus team, and finished ninth out of 11 with drivers Kevin Magnussen of Denmark and Briton Jolyon Palmer.

Magnussen has since left for US-owned rivals Haas F1 and been replaced by experienced German Nico Hulkenberg from Force India. Russian Sergey Sirotkin retains the role of development driver in a season that sees big changes in the regulations with bigger tyres, faster cornering speeds and cars that will be harder to handle.

The team has invested heavily in adding headcount and infrastructure over the past year with the aim of returning to the top by 2020.

"We expect to be within fifth in the championship," Renault Sport racing president Jerome Stoll told the audience in a central London hall before the black-and-yellow RS17 car was presented to pounding music and strobe lights.

"We are hungry for the podium, hungry for success," said Stoll. Renault Sport F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul said the key word for the year ahead was 'integration'. (Reuters)