2018 McLaren F1 Team - Renault

[ecodelta]

Alonso is back!

Good to see Mclaren ahead of a RB.
Even better if ahead a RB driven by a pilot like Verstappen.

A Podium may be still far, championship even farther, but they can fight now, and last to the end of the race.

What a change from Honda.

A pity honda could not deliver. Maybe in three more years Honda will deliver a competitive PU. If not, they will be done with f1 by then.

[proteus]

I am very very happy today It is too soon, since Haas an Renault are strong this year, but still they have managed to score on the first race, an achievement they were not able do in the past 3 seasons.

[Postmoe]

Of the three Renault powered cars, both Mclaren and Renault seem to have been playing a quite conservative Grand Prix in terms of engine management. I think they are very obviously targeting engine switch as late as possible knowing they cannot challenge higher grid positions.

Haas is the only logical contender

[mwillems]

Of the three Renault powered cars, both Mclaren and Renault seem to have been playing a quite conservative Grand Prix in terms of engine management. I think they are very obviously targeting engine switch as late as possible knowing they cannot challenge higher grid positions.

Haas is the only logical contender

I've no idea what Renault's schedule is, but I read somewhere that their main driver is engine development, and that they will be happy to take penalties for this.

On another note, given that the tyres lasted pretty well, despite being in traffic for a fair amount earlier on, does this suggest that the car has reasonably good mechanical grip? Or might it just be Alonso's talent?

[bauc]

Of the three Renault powered cars, both Mclaren and Renault seem to have been playing a quite conservative Grand Prix in terms of engine management. I think they are very obviously targeting engine switch as late as possible knowing they cannot challenge higher grid positions.

Haas is the only logical contender

I've no idea what Renault's schedule is, but I read somewhere that their main driver is engine development, and that they will be happy to take penalties for this.

On another note, given that the tyres lasted pretty well, despite being in traffic for a fair amount earlier on, does this suggest that the car has reasonably good mechanical grip? Or might it just be Alonso's talent?

I've noticed Alonso doing short shifts before exit of the final corner to improve traction, I think the basis is very good but need more tuning. Front end grip is superb, not one problem under braking into corner

[Postmoe]

Of the three Renault powered cars, both Mclaren and Renault seem to have been playing a quite conservative Grand Prix in terms of engine management. I think they are very obviously targeting engine switch as late as possible knowing they cannot challenge higher grid positions.

Haas is the only logical contender

I've no idea what Renault's schedule is, but I read somewhere that their main driver is engine development, and that they will be happy to take penalties for this.

On another note, given that the tyres lasted pretty well, despite being in traffic for a fair amount earlier on, does this suggest that the car has reasonably good mechanical grip? Or might it just be Alonso's talent?

They cannot blow any engine until the next upgrade is ready. As only Haas is a plausible catch, both Renault and Mclaren will tend to save engine in comparison to RB

[RonDennis]

Well if I hear Alonso and Boullier they are pretty confident that they will make some big steps in the next few races. The racepace was already better than what I expected.

1 3 Daniel Ricciardo RED BULL RACING TAG HEUER 54 17:37:13 1:25.945 222.128
2 7 Kimi Räikkönen FERRARI 57 17:41:31 1:26.373 221.027
3 44 Lewis Hamilton MERCEDES 50 17:31:16 1:26.444 220.845
4 5 Sebastian Vettel FERRARI 53 17:35:35 1:26.469 220.782
5 33 Max Verstappen RED BULL RACING TAG HEUER 54 17:37:32 1:26.880 219.737
6 2 Stoffel Vandoorne MCLAREN RENAULT 57 17:41:59 1:26.958 219.540
7 14 Fernando Alonso MCLAREN RENAULT 57 17:41:52 1:26.978 219.489
8 77 Valtteri Bottas MERCEDES 54 17:37:34 1:27.019 219.386
9 27 Nico Hulkenberg RENAULT 57 17:41:55 1:27.081 219.230
10 31 Esteban Ocon FORCE INDIA MERCEDES 57 17:42:18 1:27.600 217.931

[Fulcrum]

A positive start, but I think McLaren will ultimately occupy a middle ground between Red Bull / Ferrari and Haas.

The gap to the teams in front is absolutely massive, while Renault were arguably faster today - and Haas were definitely faster. I expect Haas to fall behind as the year progresses, but I don't expect Renault to get worse. The battle between McLaren and Renault could go on all year long.

[mwillems]

Of the three Renault powered cars, both Mclaren and Renault seem to have been playing a quite conservative Grand Prix in terms of engine management. I think they are very obviously targeting engine switch as late as possible knowing they cannot challenge higher grid positions.

Haas is the only logical contender

I've no idea what Renault's schedule is, but I read somewhere that their main driver is engine development, and that they will be happy to take penalties for this.

On another note, given that the tyres lasted pretty well, despite being in traffic for a fair amount earlier on, does this suggest that the car has reasonably good mechanical grip? Or might it just be Alonso's talent?

I've noticed Alonso doing short shifts before exit of the final corner to improve traction, I think the basis is very good but need more tuning. Front end grip is superb, not one problem under braking into corner

But I think that is standard at the last corner for most drivers, no?

[restless]

great start - with some luck... could it be that Alonso bad karma ended?

[mclaren111]

Well done !!

Really glad now we dropped Honda !!

[f1universe]

Great to see Macca and Alonso competitive again, I hope they move forward every race, even if it is just a little.

[SameSame]

Well if I hear Alonso and Boullier they are pretty confident that they will make some big steps in the next few races. The racepace was already better than what I expected.

1 3 Daniel Ricciardo RED BULL RACING TAG HEUER 54 17:37:13 1:25.945 222.128
2 7 Kimi Räikkönen FERRARI 57 17:41:31 1:26.373 221.027
3 44 Lewis Hamilton MERCEDES 50 17:31:16 1:26.444 220.845
4 5 Sebastian Vettel FERRARI 53 17:35:35 1:26.469 220.782
5 33 Max Verstappen RED BULL RACING TAG HEUER 54 17:37:32 1:26.880 219.737
6 2 Stoffel Vandoorne MCLAREN RENAULT 57 17:41:59 1:26.958 219.540
7 14 Fernando Alonso MCLAREN RENAULT 57 17:41:52 1:26.978 219.489
8 77 Valtteri Bottas MERCEDES 54 17:37:34 1:27.019 219.386
9 27 Nico Hulkenberg RENAULT 57 17:41:55 1:27.081 219.230
10 31 Esteban Ocon FORCE INDIA MERCEDES 57 17:42:18 1:27.600 217.931

Those fastest laps are extremely encouraging. It wasn't like last year when they had a late stop and went full out qualifying mode. Both drivers set similar times which shows its not a fluke.

I think it also confirms just how tight things are with Renault. A few tenths gained by either team could be crucial for the final constructors standings.

[FW17]

I think a new barge board / side pod package can be worth a lot. While it would bring them closer in the race, I doubt they can make a serious dent in the qualifying deficit.

[SameSame]

Boullier mentioned in his post race comments that they knew they had more "potential" to unlock in the car for Sunday. I wonder if there were still thermal issues which meant they could not use full beans from the Renault? Not sure what they could have done in parc ferme though. It is still puzzling that we haven't seen the upgrade PP was speaking about. Boullier also mentions about getting parts in the pipeline to the track; so I assume they have had some manufacturing issues which wouldn't be surprising considering the complexity of some of the parts.