Renault has become the sixth team to confirm the launch date for their 2018 car, with the R.S.18 to be unveiled on February 20th.
The French manufacturer made significant strides forward in their second season back as a works team last year, taking sixth in the constructors’ championship at the final race in Abu Dhabi but arguably ending as the fastest midfield team.
Managing director Cyril Abiteboul has already claimed this year will be the last of the re-building phase after picking up the remains of the old Lotus team and Renault continues to set a target of challenging for the title by 2020.
They also have one of the strongest midfield driver pairings in Nico Hulkenberg, set for his second year with the team, and Carlos Sainz, who will be on loan from the Red Bull program.
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The big challenge for Renault, however, will be competing against their engine customers with Red Bull and now McLaren both eager for wins and the championship but the factory outfit remains a step behind.
“I think there are more positives than there are negatives in those relationships,” Abiteboul told Motorsport.com when asked about the likelihood of being the worst team using a Renault engine.
“There is clearly pride to be supplying engines to other great teams and their fantastic drivers and it’s interesting because it’s challenging. But at the same time, it’s providing motivation to everyone.”