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Abiteboul: Renault's line-up potentially 'the best on the grid'

Published on 11 Mar 2019 16:42
7
By: Fergal Walsh

Renault managing director says that its 2019 line-up of Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg is perhaps the 'best on the grid'.

Hulkenberg enters his third year with the Enstone squad, who is rebuilding towards the front of the grid after returning as a full works team in 2016.

This year, he is joined by Ricciardo, who opted to depart Red Bull Racing at the end of the 2018 season. Ricciardo won seven Grands Prix in his time at the energy drink squad, bagging a further 22 podiums.

As it targets pulling clear of the midfield fight this year, Abiteboul says that the team is willed on by the strong line-up.

“The first race of the year, the Australian Grand Prix, is a high point of the season, but even more so this year as Daniel Ricciardo makes his race debut for the team,” he said.

“We head there united and with strong determination. We have a new car that has shown potential [during pre-season testing] in Barcelona.

"The power unit has made progress and our driver line-up of Daniel and Nico is perhaps the strongest on the grid.

“We’re looking forward to seeing them showcasing their experience and talent on track. There is a lot of expectation for the first race, especially with Daniel’s debut for the team coming at his home Grand Prix.”

Ricciardo is keen to put an end to the "theories and speculation" that surround Renault heading into the new season.

“It’s an exciting thought that my first race for Renault is my home Grand Prix,” he said. “There’s always so much hype at the start of the Formula 1 season, and this has been amplified by me joining a new team.

"I’ve had this date circled since I announced I’d be signing with Renault and I’m looking forward to getting race week started.

“It’s been a long winter with a lot of theories and speculation going around, but the race track is where we settle all that.

"We had a good winter test, I’m growing happier every time I step into the car and the first race will be especially exciting.”

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527

Amen, but I think there is some degree of truth in his statement. Personally, I think that if Renault were to grab P4, it'll be the drivers Renault can owe it to. And they could of course say thanks to HAAS for being in the Dumb ways to DNF challenge...

1
Mar 11 2019 - 17:05

F1 News Daniel Ricciardo Nico Hülkenberg Cyril Abiteboul Renault

Replies (7)

Ramshoek00

Posts: 68
As the sum of its drivers. Yes, it could well be.
- + 0
- Mar 11 2019 - 16:51
Jutlandia

Posts: 191
Here we go again!
More hot air from the most untrustworthy team manager on the grid.
And I really fear that RIC will regret his decision.
- + 0
- Mar 11 2019 - 16:54
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Amen, but I think there is some degree of truth in his statement. Personally, I think that if Renault were to grab P4, it'll be the drivers Renault can owe it to. And they could of course say thanks to HAAS for being in the Dumb ways to DNF challenge...
  + 1
  
  Mar 11 2019 - 17:05
boudy

Posts: 1,168
Let's debunk this with maths:

LH/VB = 1 + 11 = 12
MV/PG= 2 + 6 = 8
VET/CL = 4 + 3 = 7
DR/NH = 9 + 10 = 19

That combination is the fourth best according the Autosport 2018 driver rating. Other teams will have an higher combination score.

Let's hope they have an improved PU for next season.
- + 0
- Mar 11 2019 - 17:11
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  Autosport is shit lol
  + 1
  
  Mar 11 2019 - 17:29
mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
(The cost per point scored + perlap differece to team mate - car performance offset ) formula might say, Charles Leclerc might be the best driver on the grid, followed by Verstappen. The best driver pairing might still go to Ferrari.
- + 0
- Mar 11 2019 - 17:57
Kean

Posts: 692
I would say now that Leclerc has joined Ferrari that Ferrari has the best line-up, but Renault is likely a close 2nd. It will be interesting to see though if Ric is 31 million euro good compared to Hulk 4 million euro. The same goes for Vet vs. Lec..... Huge differences in salary, that in my opinion does not correlate to differing talent.
- + 1
- Mar 11 2019 - 19:05