Renault impatiently awaits Monza

Renault is not used to living la dolce vita in Italy. The French manufacturer has only two victories there, in 1981 and 1982 with Alain Prost et Rene Arnoux.

But last year, the team finally tamed the Temple of Speed. Renault achieved the best result of the season there with a fourth and fifth place… Like at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend.

On a circuit even faster than in Belgium, the Yellows could do wonders thanks to their engine above the others this season. “The two chicanes at Monza are the only slow corners on the track with heavy braking up front. The others are medium and high speed curves and there are three long straights making this track require even less downforce than Spa. explains Ciaron Pilbeam, Renault chief racing engineer.

Daniel Ricciardo et Esteban Ocon have personal connections with the Monza route. As his name suggests, Ricciardo is of Italian origin. “ Monza has the best pizza in the world. It's my fuel for the weekend! »

Esteban Ocon speaks Italian fluently. He studied in karting in the boot and lived in Italy for a year during his stay in Formula 3 with Prema. In Formula 1, he finished twice in the top six in two participations. 

“I have good memories of 2017. I started third after placing fifth in qualifying in the rain and I had a good race fighting with the Ferrari. In 2018 I qualified quite well in eighth position and finished sixth in the race, which was also a great result. My results at Monza are rather positive and I'm going there with the aim of replicating Spa. »

Why not better? Behind the Mercedes a priori still untouchable, everything is possible on a grand prix which perfectly suits the characteristics of Renault.