Renault show off its RS19 in Enstone
- Farhan Khurram
- Feb 12, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 13, 2019
This was a live event. The article was updated as the event progressed.
Renault launched its 2019 F1 challenger, the RS19 to media and fans in Enstone. Unsurprisingly, the French team retains the yellow and black color scheme, that it has been using since 2017.
The RS19 will be driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg this year.
Cyril Abiteboul, the team principal of Renault stated: "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,"
"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." said Cyril.
Renault had earlier fired-up the engine on February 8th, as their official Twitter handle posted a video of the roaring F1 engine, coming to life.
Renault's roots in F1 date back to 1977, when the French giant first participated as a constructor in Formula 1. Over the decades, the team has witnessed some successful times. The Fernando Alonso era of Renault in particular, saw the team clinching two constructors' titles as well as Alonso claiming his two back to back drivers' titles. Renault has overall 35 wins, 51 pole positions and 88 podiums to its name.
Cyril further added to his comments that, "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." he concluded.
While the Enstone based squad retained Nico Hulkenberg for 2019, it released Carlos Sainz, so that the Spaniard could join McLaren. His vacated seat will be filled by the highly talented, sought after and well experienced, Daniel Ricciardo.
Daniel Ricciardo said: "To be part of the next step of their [Renault's] Formula 1 journey is an exciting challenge."
“Renault has a massive history in motorsport"
"I’m here to do a job on track and drive as fast as possible, but I would like to bring the team energy."
“Everything I learnt in 2018 will make me a better version of myself in 2019. The difference will be a more mature person.
"I have more clarity of where I’m going and I aim for that to be shown with good results on track." "I feel a lot of positive pressure and expectation to do good things, but that’s something I’m looking forward to taking on.” said Ricciardo.
After months of speculation and rumors, the Australian driver finally announced midway last season, that he will join Renault for 2019 and beyond; as his Red Bull contract expired.
Renault also enjoyed a successful and healthy partnership with Red Bull. From 2010 to 2013, Red Bull won 4 consecutive constructors' titles while Vettel claimed 4 consecutive drivers' titles. Although, the partnership entered a bitter phase as Renault lost its form at the dawn of the V6 Turbo Hybrid era.
After a break of 4 years, Renault returned to Formula 1 as a constructor again in 2016. The team has made impressive progress since its comeback, as it finished 4th in the standings last season. Renault was arguably the 4th fastest car on race pace, getting only eclipsed by the trio of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
Both Ricciardo and Hulkenberg will first get to taste that how Renault RS19 is like, when the car hits the tarmac in Barcelona, on February 18th.
Haas, Toro Rosso, Williams and Renault have all launched their liveries or cars so far. The next livery reveal is by Racing Point, also known as Force India previously, on February 13th. It is also likely that the Racing Point will announce a new title sponsor, but for any certainties, that is yet to be seen.
Upcoming 2019 car launch dates:
February 13th | Racing Point
February 13th | Mercedes-AMG
February 13th | Red Bull
February 14th | McLaren
February 15th | Ferrari
February 18th | Sauber
The official car launch can be followed on Renault's website. Click here
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