F1 outfit Renault Sport has become the latest team to reveal its halo-equipped car ahead of the 2018 season. The R.S.18. was unveiled via the team’s social media sites this week.
For Renault Sport Racing president Jérôme Stoll, the car is a progression and refinement of the successful concepts developed in the 2017 season: “Renault Sport Formula One Team’s ambition is clearly to uphold the outstanding record of the past and the 2017 season has confirmed we are on the right track. We are a team on the rise. We have two very talented drivers who are hungry for results.”
With an improved suspension concept and greater aerodynamic downforce, the R.S.18 also features the mandatory halo cockpit protection and a re-profiled engine cover to comply with the 2018 technical regulations.
The 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 Renault R.E.18 unit will power the R.S.18. In preparation for the reduction to just three IC engines and two MGU-K and energy stores per season, the power unit has undergone extensive dyno testing in Viry-Châtillon, France.
Jointly developed by the teams in Enstone, UK, and Viry, France, significant improvements have been made to the Enstone facility over the past year, with enhancements to the CFD supercomputer, wind tunnel, race team operations room, gearbox dyno, and machine shop and an expanded design office.
“Enstone is regenerated and the workforce has already increased by more than 35%. Our investment has so far been successfully translated to the track as we rose from ninth to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2017 and ended the year with the fourth fastest car,” added Stoll.
“The success of the program in just two years is testament to the resilient plan laid down early in the creation of the team and the strong job done the entire Renault Sport Racing team. I am convinced year three will take us one step closer to the long-term aim: winning races and challenging for championships.”
