Renault have released the first images of their 2020 Formula 1 car – the R.S.20 – at a season launch event in Paris.
Renault’s season opener event was attended by drivers Daniel Ricciardo and new recruit Esteban Ocon. The car did not make a physical appearance at the event, with Cyril Abiteboul stating that the R.S.20 is currently in pieces on its way to Barcelona ahead of the first week of pre-season testing. The team have instead shared digital renders of their new challenger online. In the images, the car sports a pre-season testing livery, with the definitive 2020 livery launching before the Australian Grand Prix.
Abiteboul spoke of the importance of 2020 for the Renault team ahead of 2021’s rule changes:
“This year must see us setting the best possible course for the major regulation changes of 2021. The organisational changes made in the second half of 2019 are with this firmly in mind. We approach this new season with humility and ambition. Humility as the challenge is huge for every team, every coming year and we are not the exceptions.”
Last season, Renault dropped to fifth in the Constructors’ Championship after tough competition from customer team McLaren. In his first year at the team, Ricciardo consistently out-qualified Nico Hulkenberg albeit reguarly by small margins. Hulkenberg was dropped in favour of Ocon for 2020. Read more: Renault’s 2019 F1 Season in Stats.
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