Nico Hulkenberg didn't appear too impressed with the new Renault after the first day of testing on Monday.

With Daniel Ricciardo having conducted the shakedown last weekend, it was the German's first opportunity to get a feel for the R.S.19.

Ahead of the new season, expectations have been raised by claims of significant progress at the French manufacturer, but Hulkenberg wasn't particularly enthused.

“First impressions are OK. I would say just alright for now,” he said. “The car ran without any big problems this morning. 65 laps is a decent start.

“It does not feel like a completely different animal. It was more a feeling like coming home. For me, it has not changed that much.

“We have the same steering wheel, the seating position is very similar, so perhaps I was also not expecting a huge difference.

“The aero regulations, it was difficult to kind of judge and anticipate how that would impact the feeling, but for now it is not so different.”

Also Read:

• Renault want engine progress to be a 'success story' of 2019
• Renault: 2019 changes could close the gap between midfield and top teams

Renault's main focus for improvement, they say, has been with the engine, which has been a key weakness in the hybrid era.

However, when asked about the performance, Hulkenberg revealed an external factor was making it hard to judge.

“I would say yes, but on the other hand, we have a lot more drag with the big rear wing so, you have less of that sensation," he explained.

"It is like pulling a parachute now across the straight. You see that massive rear wing in the mirrors and that has an impact on the feel of power.”

The wider, deeper wing comes with a bigger DRS flap but on Tuesday, the moveable flap would fly off the rear of Daniel Ricciardo's car after the Australian activated DRS for the first time down the main straight.