Source: Renault F1 Media

F1 News

Bell: Renault on track for 2019 podiums

Bell: Renault on track for 2019 podiums

28-10-2018 08:30
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Bobby Vincent

Renault technical boss Bob Bell believes his team are on the right track to finish on the podium for next season.

The French manufacturer have seen progress this season, sitting in fourth place, boasting the 'best of the rest' status currently.

Renault have also signed Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo to drive alongside Nico Hulkenberg for 2019.

"Everyone has highlighted our progress on the track," technical boss Bell said to Ouest-France. "We wanted to be fourth, we are, but we have to be careful. Over the last races, our car was not fast enough and though we have progressed, we are still quite far from the top three."

Despite Renault's progress in 2018; Bell admitted that the side wanted to make even more progress this season to try and narrow the gap to Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari.

"Modern F1 is very much aero, engine and tyre management," Bell explained. "We did a lot of work on aero and perhaps not enough on the engine compared to the others. There's no magic formula. It's very hard to make progress."

Bell has insisted that Renault will stick with their long-term plan, though: "We're looking more two or three years ahead. We are working hard on the 2019 car, and also on the 2020 and 2021 cars. And I am very satisfied with our progress.

"If you look at our facilities, our technologies, the way we work - all of these details are starting to work very well. We're just not seeing all of it on the track yet. But I think that next year we will be able to fight for the podium and get closer to the top teams."