The automobile can be piloted by new signing Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg, who stays at the French manufacturer for a 3rd season. Renault finished fourth in 2018 — a spot that has to turn out to be called ‘high-quality of the rest,’ given the performance hole between the front three and the midfield — and is looking to reduce Mercedes’ deficit, Ferrari, and Red Bull this 12 months.
Renault hopes the R.S.19 is the auto to do that. The group made a massive assertion during the ultimate 12 months’ motive force marketplace through securing the signature of Ricciardo from Red Bull. The Australian, who has won seven F1 races considering that 2014, is considered one of the grid’s quality capabilities. It completes one of the maximum thrilling driving force line-America going into the brand new season along with Hulkenberg. The French manufacturer has made no secret of the reality it is dealing with a protracted-term mission lower back to the front of the grid — it has targeted wins in 2020 and 2021, which means a clear breakthrough this 12 months can be vitally essential.
The maximum visible adjustments to the automobile proven in the rendered photos from the remaining years are those mandated by way of 2019’s new technical rules, together with a wider, simplified front wing, smaller barge boards, and a higher, wider rear wing. At its Enstone base on Tuesday, it displayed a car with the 2019 livery and the front wing at the crew’s release occasion. Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul believes the crew’s commitments to returning to the front of the grid are apparent within the adjustments it’s been making to each stage of its operation. “When you stroll around Enstone, you feel the passion and dedication to racing,” he stated. “The first phase of the plan become regeneration — you will see quite plenty every unmarried vicinity of the manufacturing facility has been advanced if now not absolutely transformed, from wind tunnel instrumentation, manufacturing, milling machines, smooth room, race bays, every single vicinity progressed with a purpose to compete on the equal level as the first-class.”
Engine chief Remi Taffin is assured Renault can begin reducing the overall performance hole this yr. “These regulations are extraordinarily complex. We recognize them and apprehend them and had time to install vicinity a structure,” he stated. “We have the structure, and we have the human beings now. Eventually, we can see the result of it. “We have worked hard on the ERS [energy recovery system] and worked a lot at the ICE [internal combustion engine]. “In 2018, we had been introducing a few new concepts that proved to achieve success, and we’ve got taken a number of them further down the street and into 2019. Leclerc was leading the race with two laps to head when Max Verstappen handed him for the lead at Turn 3 and squeezed him wide on the corner’s exit. The pair touched wheels, and Leclerc turned into compelled off the music, with the Ferrari motive force asking “What the hell become that?” over team radio, however after a 3-hour evaluation of the incident, the stewards decided to take no further motion towards Verstappen.
“I assume with the incident, I have no problems, and it became straightforward for me to transport on,” Leclerc stated. “The simplest factor is that I would really like maybe a piece extra consistency. I sense like there have been a few other incidents in the beyond which have been less big, in a way, and which have been penalized. “If we will race that manner, I’m extra than glad to race that manner. I think it’s true for Formula One. I suppose it is what we drivers need. We need to recognize what we will anticipate from the others, and on that, I suppose that is why I would really like possibly greater consistency at the penalties…