Renault R.S.18

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Renault R.S.18
FIA F1 Austria 2018 Nr. 27 Hulkenberg.jpg
The R.S.18, driven by Nico Hülkenberg, during the Austrian Grand Prix
Category Formula One
Constructor Renault
Designer(s)
Predecessor Renault R.S.17
Successor Renault R.S.19
Technical specifications [1] [2] [3]
Chassis Moulded carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque
Suspension (front)Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones operate an inboard rocker via a pushrod system
Suspension (rear)Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones with pull rod operated torsion bars
Length5,480 mm (215.7 in)
Width2,000 mm (78.7 in)
Height950 mm (37.4 in)
Axle track
  • Front: 1,600 mm (63.0 in)
  • Rear: 1,550 mm (61.0 in)
Engine Mecachrome-built and assembled Renault R.E.18 1.6 L (98 cu in) direct injection V6 turbocharged engine limited to 15,000 RPM in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
Electric motor Renault kinetic and thermal energy recovery systems
Transmission Renault eight-speed semi-automatic sequential titanium gearbox + 1 reverse gear
Battery Infiniti lithium-ion
Weight733 kg (1,616.0 lb)
Fuel BP Ultimate
Lubricants Castrol EDGE
Brakes Carbon discs and pads with Brembo calipers and AP Racing cylinders
Tyres
Clutch AP Racing electro-hydraulically operated, carbon multi-plate
Competition history
Notable entrants Renault Sport F1 Team
Notable drivers
Debut 2018 Australian Grand Prix
Last event 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
RacesWins Podiums Poles F/Laps
210000

The Renault R.S.18 is a Formula One racing car designed and constructed by the Renault Sport Formula One Team to compete during the 2018 FIA Formula One World Championship. The chassis was designed by Nick Chester, Chris Cooney, Martin Tolliday, and Pete Machin with Bob Bell overseeing the design and production of the car as a chief technical officer and Rémi Taffin leading the powertrain design. The car was driven by Nico Hülkenberg and Carlos Sainz Jr. [4] The car made its competitive debut at the 2018 Australian Grand Prix.

Contents

Design and development

Following Renault's return to the sport as a constructor in 2016, the team underwent a recruitment drive and began investing in its Enstone facilities. With the development of the R.S.18, the Enstone factory was expanded to accommodate the team's operations. [5]

Competition history

Sainz racing in front of the home crowd at the Spanish Grand Prix, he would go on to finish seventh 2018 Spanish Grand Prix Sainz (6).jpg
Sainz racing in front of the home crowd at the Spanish Grand Prix, he would go on to finish seventh

The R.S.18 proved to be a vast improvement compared to its predecessor. By the end of the season, Renault finished 4th in the constructors' championship as "the best of the rest" with 122 points.

Hülkenberg's best result was fifth place in his home race, while Sainz's best was also fifth, which he achieved in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Sponsorship and livery

The R.S.18 sported a black and yellow livery, the yellow tone was brighter than the previous year. Sainz' personal sponsor, Estrella Galicia was present on the bargeboards. The team also was also sponsored by La Liga football league.

At the British Grand Prix, the car ran with a special livery to promote the new film, Incredibles 2 . The red and yellow stripes were decorated across the fin.

Later use

A modified R.S.18 was used during testing of the 2022 tyre compounds after the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. [6]

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantEngineTyresDriversGrands PrixPointsWCC
AUS BHR CHN AZE ESP MON CAN FRA AUT GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN RUS JPN USA MEX BRA ABU
2018 Renault Sport Formula One Team Renault R.E.18 P Hülkenberg 766RetRet879Ret6512Ret131012Ret66RetRet1224th
Sainz 1011957108812Ret129118817107Ret126

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References

  1. "New season for Renault Sport Formula One team with the Renault R.S.18". renaultsport.com. Renault Sport. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  2. "Formula 1 - Press release - Renault Sport Formula One Team reveals 2018 challenger - renaultsport.com". renaultsport.com. Renault Sport. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  3. Mitchell, Scott (12 November 2017). "Pirelli to introduce new softest-compound pink-walled F1 tyre in '18". Autosport . Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017.
  4. "2018 F1 Entry List". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 1 February 2018. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018.
  5. "Renault 'almost 10 years' behind on F1 return". Speedcafe . 20 January 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018.[ dead link ]
  6. Somerfield, Matthew (2021-12-15). "The technology on show in Abu Dhabi F1 testing ahead of new-look 2022". Motorsport.com . Motorsport Network . Retrieved 2021-12-16.