Renault launch its 2018 challenger
- Published on 20 Feb 2018 16:00
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Renault has taken the wraps off its new car, the R.S. 18. The machine is the third of Renault's since it returned as a full-time manufacturer in 2016. It has been building upwards since then, and will be hoping that its latest design will bring boosted results.
The car has slightly modified its yellow and black livery from 2017. Renault has also elected to paint the halo black. Its nose design is also similar to its 2017 car.
The R.S. 18 will be piloted by Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz. Hulkenberg joined the French squad last year and scored its points throughout the first half of the season. Following the Japanese Grand Prix, Renault replaced Jolyon Palmer with Carlos Sainz, who will continue for the 2018 season.
Jack Aitken also confirmed that he has been promoted to the role of reserve driver for the Enstone team. Artem Markelov has also been confirmed to now hold a test and development role. Both racers will drive in the FIA Formula 2 championship this year.
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (19)
Login to replymcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
Like the thin profile of the back. But, the front wing, and side looks far less busy than RedBull.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I really like the livery. Although I think I preferred the tone of yellow from last year.
reg
Posts: 162
Looks great simple clean and elegant, which is often fast too!
Pauli
Posts: 140
Are they trying to copy RB13 from launch images or something like that?
Too bad simple clean and elegant doesn't work well enough with aero performance restrictions so it looks like their aero will be 0.5-0.8 seconds down per lap unless they manage to add a lot details before season begins.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I dont see any significant similarities between this car and Red Bull's. As for how Renault will perform: its too early to say. Remember how some doubted the performance of last year's Ferrari? Remember how that turned out?
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
@Pauli I think you forget that launch cars as ALWAYS missing essential bits. You don't usually give away everything on launch. It's standard procedure. Furthermore, complexity in aero is definitely not positively correlated with performance either.
Pauli
Posts: 140
Yeah. There isn't much similarity Rb13 except apparent simplicity of all details. But RB13 also raced with very simple aero bits in Australia. It took RB until second half of season to put all important aero details to the car to have chance against Mercedes and Ferrari.
Kean
Posts: 692
Knew about Aitken, but not about Markelov. Good for him, he may not always be the fastest over one lap, but he has great race craft and has impressed a number of times in GP2/F2.
Bhurt
Posts: 320
Launches car. Includes photo of Cyril. Why?
Barron
Posts: 625
‘Cos Cyril is the boss? Why, shouldn’t he be there? ?
Bhurt
Posts: 320
Are they launching him as well? Have they upgraded Cyril for 2018? Is this new version of Cyril no longer an idiot? If so, that change, as massive as it would be, wouldn't be visible in a photo.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
New, now with more areodynamic lies.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
My thoughts exactly. Cyril didn't even wear the team uniform, or posed with the car. Just a proper individual picture fit for Instagram. Weird!
Barron
Posts: 625
Pauli looks at heavily disguised Renault on launch and predicts the aero will be 0.5-0.8 secs a lap down, you’d better add that with engine a further .8 secs down followed by the slow looking gearbox, the Renault drivers are going have their work cut out for them this season! ?
Pauli
Posts: 140
I wish they are just hiding their aero details and they will actually have much more competitive looking car :)
But for engine part. It looks like Renault may have managed to reduce their engine sizes finally based on RB14 shape. Reportedly they had promised engine size reduction already for 2017 but they didn't really manage it with all reliability and performance issues taking precedence.
RenaultFM1
Posts: 100
Then replace Hulkenberg with Grojean then they will start get podiums!
Bhurt
Posts: 320
Podiums? Not very likely. Inexplicable brake issues? Certainly.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Brake issues and drama. Methinks there are good reasons for why none of the bigger teams consider Grosjean.
Pauli
Posts: 140
To me it has looked like Grosjean is a good driver on a good day but he has too many bad days or many tracks don't suit his driving style. To me both Sainz and hulkenberg are very likely to bring more points over whole season. Points matters a lot for CC which is important revenue source for the best midfield teams.