Wolff tips Renault to be the biggest improvers in 2018
- Published on 01 Mar 2018 14:20
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has predicted Renault will make the biggest improvement in 2018. The French team finished sixth last year in the Constructors' championship. In a brief interview for Autosport, Toto Wolff spoke about several F1 topics.
"Force India? There the duel between [Sergio] Perez against [Esteban] Ocon becomes entertaining,” Wolff said. "Both want to distinguish themselves for bigger things in 2019 – so this season is essential for both." he added.
When asked which team will have the biggest improvement in 2018, Wolff replied: "Renault will make the biggest step forward for me. It will use all its resources, and has ambitious drivers with Hulkenberg and Sainz.”
Renault finished fourth and fifth in the first day of testing and fifth in the second day. As the test was hit by heavy snow, neither Hulkenberg or Sainz managed to set a lap time in the third day of the Formula 1 winter test from Barcelona.
Paul Athes
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Replies (7)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I agree with Wolff, Renault should have decent potential to make a decent leap in 2018.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Although wouldn’t you think if McLaren get as good an engine or close too then their drivers will out perform Renault with the McLaren chassis?
Pauli
Posts: 140
Both Renault and McLaren are showing huge improvements from last year. They both have showed signs that podium battles can be between 5 teams this season. Of course first test is still very early to draw any conclusions. But I guess Toto attributes McLaren improvement to Renault PU while their car performance stays about same or becomes little bit worse because of major redesign after late PU change.
McLaren is even targeting major chassis changes to be bought after testing directly to Australia which makes it very hard to guess how their car performs until practice and qualification.
Barron
Posts: 625
Chassis changes? That sounds ominous to be honest..Australia is also the worse track to “test” new stuff because it is notoriously unpredictable. I hope it works, we need a revitalised McLaren up there attacking the front, and if they give Fernando a decent car, we’ll be in for a good season..
Barron
Posts: 625
I agree with Wolff here and this should also benefit McLaren as they push the power up. Interestingly, I believe the works team will be the de facto test bed and McLaren & Red Bull will get lower spec (but reliable) PUs. It’s going to be a battle of the chassis as much as machinery this year..
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Is that (strictly) allowed under the rules now. Wasn’t this ruled out to supply customer teams with an inferior engine?
flilot
Posts: 3
Customer teams must be supplied with an identical engine to the works team, unless they have agreed to be supplied with a previous years spec at cheaper price, for example. What differentiates the performance of said engines are the software maps. The engine supplier gives customers base maps which they can change (within safety parameters so they don't blow the engines up). The works teams will always have superior engine maps, because they know the engines inside out (literally).