Renault

In year three since its return to F1 with a factory operation, Renault is looking to move out of the midfield and up to the sharp end of the grid.

Lewis Larkam

21 Mar 2018

Renault Sport Formula 1 Team

GP Starts: 341
Wins: 35
Pole Positions: 51
Fastest Laps: 31
Drivers’ Championships: 2
Constructors’ Championships: 2

Drivers

27. Nico Hulkenberg GER
55. Carlos Sainz Jr. ESP

2017 in review - Another steady year of improvements for Renault as it embarked on its second season as a full works squad since its takeover of Lotus at the end of 2015. Thanks to Nico Hulkenberg, and the late arrival of highly-rated Spaniard Carlos Sainz, the team secured a late charge to sixth place in the constructors’ championship, overhauling Toro Rosso at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Reliability issues and a lack of engine performance ultimately held the Enstone-outfit back.

What’s changed for 2018? The addition of Carlos Sainz for a full season has boosted the team going into the new season, with Renault aiming to score regular double points finishes as it looks to make the next step up in F1’s pecking order with a target of fourth place in the constructors’ standings. The team impressed in pre-season testing and could be the leader of the midfield pack in 2018.

Key man - Nico Hulkenberg. The German comprehensively out-performed Jolyon Palmer and was a consistent and reliable performer for the team last year, scoring 43 of Renault’s total 53 points in 2017. He will need to make the step up to team leader in 2018 to spearhead the French manufacturer’s charge, maybe even ending his unenviable record of most races without making the podium in the process.

Constructors’ Championship prediction - 4th