The Renault RS 18 with a new front wing at Hockenheim

After a difficult Austrian event without any points scored, a first in 2018, Renault Sport F1 Team had raised the bar last weekend at Silverstone, with sixth place in Nico Hulkenberg.

A somewhat unexpected result for the Losange clan, given the lackluster performance in the fast corners, a major characteristic of the English track. But the racing facts and a timely tire strategy for Hülkenberg allowed Renault to score important points in the championship.

Strengthened by this result, the French team will approach the next German and Hungarian events with confidence, on routes which should better suit the RS 18. But the French management remains cautious.

“We ended this intense period by retaining fourth place in the Manufacturers' Championship, but this place in the standings does not reflect the warning we received on the last rounds of mid-season, warns Cyril Abiteboul, director of Renault Sport Racing.

We are fully aware that the fight for fourth place will not be easy and will continue throughout the second half of the year. »

New in Germany

In order to maintain its advantage in the fight for 4th place in the championship against Haas or Force India, Renault continues to develop its car. The German meeting will be an opportunity for Bob Bell's troops to make a specific development.

" There will be a new front wing, comments the technology director. We plan to validate it on Friday. We hope it will be a step forward in terms of the overall performance of the car and will help us for the championship. »

Bell also reminds that the Hockenheim circuit will also be a challenge for tire management, an essential parameter in 2018. “We experienced different problems on different circuits, Bell continued.

More than wear in Austria, blisters were forming because the rubber was practically “boiling” beneath the surface. This destroys the tires from the inside and this is not really a normal operating phase!

Everything will therefore depend on the track, and Hockenheim places emphasis on the rear tires. We will need to ensure that they stay within the ideal operating window without overheating. »