Renault’s rapid rise in F1 was ‘all in the plan’
Coming into this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, Renault was fourth in the Formula One constructors’ standings.
While the team is unlikely to claim a title this year, it is already classifying the 2018 season a success, according to Tommaso Volpe, director of Infiniti global motorsport and performance projects.
Fourth is a vast improvement over 2016, when the team collected only eight points, and Renault is on pace to blow past last year’s total of 57 points. There are 14 races left after the Canadian Grand Prix.
“To be honest, it was all in the plan,” Volpe said. He added that 2016 was a year to forget, especially since Renault bought the team in late December 2015, much too late in the development of the car for that season to make any significant changes.
“(The teams) start to develop the car for one season in July the year before,” he said. “It was not really an ideal scenario for the team. For the development of the car and for performance.”
Volpe said 2017 is when Renault started to build the basis for their performance, with more changes made ahead of the 2018 season.
“The whole package is improved, so there is not a specific area” that explains the success this season, he said.
There are three sources of performance: The powertrain, the chassis and the drivers.
“The powertrain has improved a lot recently, and you can see also on the performance of the teams with the same powertrain,” he said.
“The chassis has improved a lot and obviously the drivers (are performing well).”
Drivers Niko Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz have consistently placed in the top 10 all season, with only two retirements on the season, both by Hulkenberg.
“They’ve scored points more regularly than last year, when only Niko was consistent,” Volpe said.
The team’s improved results and performance are not a surprise, Volpe said.
“We planned to be in the top five from the third season and that is where we are.”
But the toughest work is still ahead.
“The target for 2019 and 2020 is to be a championship contender,” Volpe said.
For now, the focus is on keeping the team’s momentum going at the Canadian Grand Prix and placing both Renault drivers in the top 10.
“Here, the powertrain is very important. It’s very fast. We believe we can be with both drivers in the top 10 again,” Volpe said.
For Volpe, the annual stop in Montreal at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is one of his favourites.
“I know it sounds fake to say this, but it’s really one of my favourites. It’s not just because of the race, but because of the city. The atmosphere here in Montreal is very good.”
He compared the race in Montreal with the one held in Melbourne, Australia, in terms of atmosphere.
“Both have the track in a park that is close to the city, both have these amazing cities close by and the atmosphere is very friendly. In a way, I really consider Montreal and Melbourne the nicest races when it comes to the atmosphere around the race, not just the race itself,” Volpe said.