Hulkenberg: No area of ‘major concern’ with Renault’s 2019 F1 car

  • Published on 06 Mar 2019 10:03
  • comments 2
  • By: Harry Mattocks

Nico Hulkenberg has said that he has "no major concerns" about the pace of the RS19, after completing their pre-season testing programme. 

The French team managed to complete the third most number of laps over the two weeks, as well as showing some strong pace over one lap. It also set the fifth fastest lap in Barcelona, in what was an encouraging start to the year. 

This comes after the team have made strides in the development of their power unit, which McLaren also use. They claim to have already reached the "high targets" that they had set for themselves over the winter as they edge closer to Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull.

“It feels okay,” Hulkenberg said when asked about his impressions of his new car. “You always have some weaknesses, if you’re entirely happy it means you’re under-driving it. 

“When you push generally around here [Barcelona] it’s quite a tough track on the tyres so you have to be careful on a long stint not to go through tyres too quickly. 

“We know Barcelona is very heavy and hard on the front left especially. You’ve got to distribute the tyre life over the stint, I think that’s the main limiting factor, more than car balance. 

“Of course different cars probably are better or worse with tyres probably, but the car feels alright with low fuel high fuel - no major concerns in one area.”

The German driver has been paired up with the ever-smiling Australian Daniel Ricciardo for 2019, and he feels that he is on the same page regarding feedback with his new teammate.

“I think we have the same view, the same feeling about the car, more importantly we are looking for the same thing from the car which is good,” he added. 

“For a team it can be confusing if one driver sometimes tells you left and one tells right, but it seems we’re on the same page there.”

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • But they didn't exactly beat Force India last year did they?

    • + 0
    • Mar 6 2019 - 20:34
    • Nor did they beat HAAS, they did a good job beating themselves up. I don't expect that to have changed, plus I suspect Alfa, McL and STR could be forces to reckon with this year..

      • + 0
      • Mar 7 2019 - 14:58

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 14:09

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 14:09

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Sauber
  • Points 345
  • Podiums 0
  • Grand Prix 160
  • Country Germany
  • Date of b. Aug 19 1987 (37)
  • Place of b. Emmerich am Rhein, Germany
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.84 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar