Renault launches its 2019 F1 car
- Published on 12 Feb 2019 12:50
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Renault has thrown the wraps off the R.S.19, the car it will compete the 2019 Formula 1 world championship with. The car keeps the black and yellow livery that it has used since 2017.
"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 dedication 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."
Renault has retained Nico Hulkenberg for a third consecutive year. The German joined the Enstone squad in 2017, and has recorded a best result of fifth place which came at his home race last year.
Hulkenberg will have a new teammate for the upcoming season, as seven-time race winner Daniel Ricciardo joins the team. Ricciardo made the shock decision to join the French manufacturer for the 2019 season last August, in what was a difficult final year with Red Bull.
The team is hoping that 2019 will see it start to close the gap to the 'top three', as it continues its plans in becoming a leading manufacturer in Formula 1 once more.
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Replies (8)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Looks very similar to last year's car. A bit disappointed in the low amount of yellow in the livery.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
It's a good livery. But as you said it looks almost exactly the same as last year. There is an astonishing lack of creativity in liveries this year so far. I am a bit confused. I don't recall it being this way in the past
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I don't think its that bad, we've had worse years for sure (2014-2015 weren't all that good IMO). Its good, but I would've preferred more colour. Im all for not fixing what ain't ugly (see my take on STR), but I'd appreciate something brighter. Most cars already have some black in them. Hell one is now black and goldish in livery, so these cars could be a bit hard to differentiate from some angles from a distance. On a bright note: we haven't seen them all yet, and already half of the revealed cars have switched livery, for better, worse or undecided. Personally, I hope McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari all do something to switch it up, while I hope Alfa Romeo will retain that gorgeous livery (anything else would be a crime, so sayeth I, the fashion police!).
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I have big hopes for Mercedes and McLaren. Red Bull will be good as usual, but they don't do radical changes. Ferrari... well other than the anniversary Ferrari (the F-150) I've always thought their livery looked more less the same. Which if it were any other brand it would be bland and boring, but because it's Ferrari, you almost have to have that red everywhere without changing too much. Mercedes is due for some updating, I feel that car's livery is underachieving, but people don't care so much because superior cars always end up looking beautiful :). McLaren, well, they have sort of carte blanche to make changes. It's transition time. No title sponsor. Last year's retro look was loved by many, and hated by others. I think they and Racing Point are the only ones that will produce radically different liveries.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yeah, true, and I honestly don't want Ferrari to change too much either. As for Merc', I probably expect something like last year, with a mostly silver/iron coloured car combined with petrol and mint details. McLaren... honestly, from the people I've spoken with half liked it, half hated it. Personally, its on my list of most bland F1 liveries, but tis a matter of taste. I think they will go simple again though, to attract a title sponsor. I think the most radical change was the one we saw with Haas, and that was a change for the better, and Racing Point will probably change a bit too (personally I hope for either retained pink or a green car).
boudy
Posts: 1,168
That's because it was last years car with some new parts stuck on it. Renault has an tendency to over promise and under deliver. Let's see how they get on in testing.
siggy74
Posts: 194
Is every car going black with a splash of something boring..
Mansell
Posts: 104
have to look forward to the half and half british american mclaren