Renault Sport Formula One Team revealed their car for the 2018 F1 season today. The R.S.18 was launched this Tuesday at 3 pm UK time through the team’s Social Media Networks. The Enstone-based squad is the fifth team to show their new machine for the upcoming campaign.
R.S.18 is Unleashed: Renault’s Car for the 2018 F1 Season is Unveiled
To all our fans, to those who slave away at weekends building plastic pyramids, who tweet us every day, who like, who RT, who follow… This one's for you. Here is our new Renault R.S.18 in all its holographic glory. Enjoy! #LaRS18IsComing #RS18 #RSspirit pic.twitter.com/w1rnJD8CY9
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 20, 2018
The team introduced their new challenger in a series of videos which gave a variety of angles of the machine. The digital images show the main color continues to be yellow. However, the car looks fully black on the sides. Compared to last season’s car it is not a huge change, but more noticeable now.
Ladies & gentlemen… Meet our 2018 challenger, the @RenaultSportF1 R.S.18! #LaRS18IsComing #RS18 #RSspirit pic.twitter.com/ELdwrD6wNe
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 20, 2018
In compliance with the 2018 regulations, the car doesn’t feature the Shark Fin or T-Wings. The introduction of the mandatory “Halo” has been made by the French team, with the safety device being black colored.
Hopes for the upcoming season
Renault re-joined F1 as a constructor in 2016, since then, they have achieved 65 total points and finished ninth and sixth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Sixth place is their best result in a Grand Prix since they returned, accomplished four times, all in 2017.
The Cyril Abiteboul-managed team went from only three top-10 finishes in 2016 to ten such results last year.
Top Management’s Hopes For 2018
Cyril Abiteboul, Renault Sport Racing Managing Director, talked about the team’s progress in the last two years and stated:”Last year was successful in many ways. It was the second year in our rebuilding and a further step towards our long-term plans and aims. 2016 was all about recruiting, investing, bringing in new sponsors, new talents and building our brand.
“Over the past year, I’ve seen the progression in many areas: ninth to sixth in the standings – in many races we were often the fourth fastest team on the grid. This is a testament to our drive, commitment, and adherence to a very ambitious plan. It was a quantified progression towards what we want to become and challenging the top teams.”
Renault Sport Racing President Jérôme Stoll recognized the team is on the right path: “Renault Sport Formula One Team’s ambition is clearly to uphold the outstanding record of the past and the 2017 season has confirmed we are on the right track.
“We are a team on the rise. We have two very talented drivers who are hungry for results. Enstone is regenerated and the workforce has already increased by more than 35%. Our investment has so far been successfully translated to the track as we rose from ninth to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2017 and ended the year with the fourth fastest car.”
The Drivers
Nico Hülkenberg and Carlos Sainz Jr. will have the R.S.18 in their hands and will try to achieve as many successes as possible for the French team. The German scored 43 points last year and was tenth in the standings. Whilst Sainz managed to finish in the top-10 once in four races for Renault since he landed in the garage after the blockbuster deal between McLaren, Renault, Toro Rosso and Honda was made.
Hülkenberg praised the new car and remained hopeful of performing at the highest level: “When I have visited Enstone and seen everything going on with the development of the R.S.18 I’m very enthused about the season ahead.
“I’m feeling positive and optimistic in myself. We’re in a good position. For this year we want to build on the good platform of last season. 2017 was about bedding in, now I want to get ready to go. I get a good feeling, we have put the work in over the winter and hard work usually pays off. I’m eager to get out there. Put me in the car.
Sainz said:“The general approach is to work harder every day to continue on a positive trend. For sure the main target is to take a step forward, both me as a driver and the whole team.
“It’s difficult to predict how big that step will be, however, I’m confident as I have been pushing hard during the winter and I know everyone at the factory is giving their very best. I’m convinced this is going to be an exciting season.”
Renault F1 will hope they have a good start to the season and they will be competing with the likes of Force India and Williams atleast in 2018.
MAIN PHOTO:
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