Renault launches its 2019 Formula 1 car
Renault has revealed the new RS19 Formula 1 car that it hopes will allow it to close the gap to the top three teams in 2019.
With new driver Daniel Ricciardo coming in alongside Nico Hulkenberg, Renault has faith that the ongoing improvements to its infrastructure and staffing levels will pay dividends in allowing it to keep up the progress it has made since it returned to F1.
"We feel ready, we feel it is the right time to show you all what has been going on in the background of the last three years and are extremely proud of," said team boss Cyril Abiteboul.
"When you walk around Enstone you feel the passion and dedicated to racing.
"The first phase of the plan was regeneration as you have seen. You will see pretty much every single area of the factory has been improved if not completely transformed, from wind tunnel instrumentation, manufacturing, milling machines, clean room, race bays, every single area improved in order to compete on the same level as the best.
"In Viry it has been a bit more tactical, some recruitment here or there, some equipment we will be commissioning in a few weeks, a brand new state-of-the-art dyno fully compatible with the 2021 regulations, plus a new building venture that should come out of the ground in 2020.
"Hopefully by 2020 we should get there with brand new engine workshop. We've invested a lot in Enstone and we ill be investing in Viry."
The Enstone-based outfit finished fourth in the constructors' championship last year, but is under no illusions about the performance gulf that still remains to Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull ahead of it.
Renault has been aggressive with the development push for the black and yellow RS19, leaving the sign off of parts as late as possible in a bid to maximise development time.
While that means it is having to work flat out to ensure the car is ready for testing next week, it is hopeful that there will be performance benefits.
The car also features what Renault believes is a much-improved F1 engine, with a new design building on the promise of last year's C-spec power unit that Red Bull used at the end of the 2018 season.
Renault F1 Team R.S.19
Photo by: Renault Sport
Share Or Save This Story
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
“I went back to the car and cried” – Esteban Ocon opens up about his unexpected year on F1 sidelines
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
On this day: Michael Schumacher’s final unsportsmanlike manoeuvre
F1 Spanish GP: Kimi Antonelli leads tricky second practice as Arvid Lindblad crashes
Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson fires back at Denny Hamlin after criticism
Juan Pablo Montoya says Madring is first 2026 F1 track he wants to drive
WRC Chile: Oliver Solberg leads Elfyn Evans as overnight rain provides curveball
What F1's risky Madrid bet needs to get right in order to pay off
The deeper meaning of Vettel’s emotional Schumacher demo run at Monza
Why new Madrid F1 circuit will be a "challenging" test of cars and engines
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur recall GP2 title and 'most impressive race ever', 20 years on
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments