#12 PREVIEW Hungary

27/28/29 July 2018

Summary Cyril Abiteboul / Bob Bell / Nico Hülkenberg / Carlos Sainz / Academy / Track Notes / History

Foreword Cyril Abiteboul

As the last race prior to the start of the summer break, the Hungarian Grand Prix acts as a good opportunity to gain some ground in the standings. We’re just over halfway through 2018, which has proved interesting, yet challenging in our push for fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

We enter Budapest on the back of a good result in Germany. Ten points meant we extended our advantage Cyril Abiteboul Renault Sport Racing to over 20 points over our nearest rivals, but there’s still a long way to go and a lot of hard work to follow if Managing Director we are to maintain this slender gap.

Before we can start to think about the summer break, we must get through this tricky race on the calendar. We know the Hungaroring is a challenging circuit for a number of reasons, but like any round, we go there with a sense of optimism and high standards. Then we have an important two-day test following the race, an extra period of time to learn more about our car and to give our Test & Development Driver Artem Markelov the opportunity to sample modern Formula 1 machinery for the first time; a natural next step for his career.

Q&A SNATCH AND GRAB

After an unpredictable German Grand Prix, the team narrowly extended their advantage in fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship. Chief Technical Officer Bob Bell shares his thoughts on the first-half of the season and the plan of action for the second-half.

“We have reasonable pace What’s there to say about the Hungaroring? been largely away from the race and that’s a What’s in the pipeline for after the summer It’s a tight and twisty circuit, which requires significant improvement on last year. shutdown? Bob Bell in the car. Some of our Renault Sport Team maximum downforce from the car. The circuit We have developments coming. There isn’t Chief Technical Officer midfield rivals have an We have reasonable pace in the car. Some of has been resurfaced recently, so it should be much for Hungary because it’s a back-to-back, our midfield rivals have an advantage on us advantage on us at the relatively smooth. We’re going with Pirelli’s but we have a few smaller bits and pieces. We’re at the more open circuits, but then it swings open circuits, but then it Medium, Soft and Ultrasoft tyres, like in working on a new floor and a new bargeboard back our way on the tighter tracks. It’s nip and swings back our way on Germany, and we’ll be taking an almost system later in the season. We’re still pushing tuck for fourth place, but we’ve been good on identical proportion for our two drivers with hard to bring performance to this season’s car. the tighter tracks. It’s nip a Sunday afternoon and that’s where it counts. predominance of the Ultrasoft, which worked OK We are having to switch a lot of our attention to and tuck for fourth place, We have the pace in the car, the reliability and at Hockenheim and should be again in Hungary. 2019, but I think we have enough in the pipeline the race-craft and it’s about combining those but we’ve been good on to get the job done, we just need to make it Qualifying is crucial at the Hungaroring, three elements together every single weekend to a Sunday afternoon and happen. because it’s a tricky place for overtaking, so achieve our objective. that’s where it counts.” we’ll be placing some emphasis on getting that right. We go there with a reasonable degree of optimism as we ran well there last year and Why has the team been able to stay on top of the the characteristics of our car seem to be better midfield fight? suited to the tight and twisty circuits. We’re This business is about getting all elements right. aware of a possible forecast for thunderstorms Pace in qualifying is one thing and an important this weekend, so that might throw some spice element, but it’s not the whole story. You need a into the mix. good car on Sunday, which you need to race well, executing a good strategy, with clean pit-stops. All of these factors are crucial to scoring points and How do you rate the first-half of the season? that’s what counts at the end of the weekend. Overall, it’s been good. We’re halfway through the season and are fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, which is what we’ve set out to achieve. It’s not been an easy journey so far. We’ve been relatively reliable on track and if we have experienced problems, it’s #12 PREVIEW HUNGARY

27/28/29 July 2018 Hungaroring

Q&A Hungary for more

Nico Hülkenberg recorded his best result for the team with a fifth-place last time out. Now the German wants to head into the summer break with another solid points haul at a physically demanding Hungaroring.

What do you like about the Have you explored the city of Budapest? How do you reflect on the last round? Nico Hülkenberg Race Driver Hungarian Grand Prix? The city of Budapest is a standout on the Fifth at my home race was obviously an #27 “I really enjoy Hungary, I really enjoy Hungary, it’s a good Grand Prix calendar. It’s a very pretty place with the excellent result for me and the team. It’s my it’s a good Grand Prix weekend. It’s the final round before the summer architecture and river flowing through. Food best finish since joining Renault, so we can take break, something I’m very much looking there is also something to look forward to, encouragement from that and look to build weekend. It’s the final forward to after a busy and hard-fought string especially Hungarian goulash. It’s an interesting on this in Hungary. We’re clearly in a difficult round before the summer of European races. In terms of the circuit place, a nice final city to visit before the summer fight for fourth place in the Constructors’ break, something I’m very itself, it’s very technical with some fun corner break. The fans are always passionate in Championship and it’s been a tough battle so much looking forward to combinations, which come thick and fast. All Hungary and they always enjoy the Grand Prix far, especially through these summer European after a busy and the corners combine in a way, and one small weekend. rounds. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, error means the next corner is compromised. It’s but I’m confident we can come out on top and hard-fought string of important to strike that balance and harmony I’m up for the challenge. European races. “ with the car. It’s usually a physical Grand Prix, very hot and busy at the wheel. It’s a race where fitness is key, more so than some races and that’s a challenge I relish.

Q&A HOT SUMMER DAYS

Carlos Sainz has his sights firmly set on finishing on a positive note ahead of the summer break.

”It’s the final race before What’s the Hungaroring like to drive? Are you looking forward to the summer break? the fans as they are always so passionate in the summer break, so it’s It’s a very tight track, similar to Monaco in a way It’s the final race before the summer break, Hungary. but obviously without the barriers. It’s a track I so it’s one we put a lot of effort into to finish one we put a lot of effort like, especially in qualifying, where you have to on a bright note. This past month has been What’s the verdict after a busy month of racing? into to finish on a bright be on it. A lap is very intense and busy with a lot a challenge, but our focus is on this race and It’s been a tough few races, but I’m focused on Carlos Sainz note. This past month has of corner combinations you have to get right. ensuring we are back in the points. I have mixed Race Driver this round and doing the best job possible. We #55 been a challenge, but our It’s a difficult circuit to overtake, but turn one is feelings about the summer break. On one hand, have a fight on our hands for fourth place, but probably the best opportunity. it’s nice because you get the chance to reset focus is on this race and I’m confident we have what it takes to stay on everything a little bit, but on the other, I love ensuring we are back in top. I’m taking it round by round, and my focus is racing and I’ll miss that for a few weeks! the points.” on having a good outing at the Hungaroring this Have you had time to visit the city of Budapest? weekend. Budapest is up there as one of my favourite

cities in the world. There are lots of good restaurants, historic buildings and things to do. We normally get the chance to stay a bit longer than in other cities because of the test following the race. We’ll be aiming to put on a show for #12 PREVIEW Hungary

27/28/29 July 2018 Hungaroring

Wins for Fewtrell Eurocup and Martins in Austria

Christian Lundgaard Renault Sport Academy Drivers Max Fewtrell and Victor Martins took a win each at round five of the “The pace all weekend Formula Renault Eurocup at the , Austria last weekend. wasn’t too bad, but we didn’t quite get the results to show that. We are Max won from pole position in race one with half-points awarded due to a red flag for wet weather. R-ace working hard to make it better for Spa, so we can GP team-mate Victor took his first Eurocup victory in race two after leading from lights to flag. Christian Christian Lundgaard be stronger when it counts. Renault Sport Academy Driver I’m happy to get a podium Lundgaard remains top rookie in the Drivers’ Championship and second overall after finishes of fifth and in the end, but I was third. hoping for the top step! It’s good points for the championship and we’re still in the mix.” Max sits eight and a half points adrift of the Dane after claiming second in race two, for an Academy 1-2-3, with Victor a further seven and a half down on the Brit. Arthur Rougier secured his best result of the season Victor Martins with eleventh in race one. The quartet head to Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, this weekend for round six. “The goal in Austria was to build on from the results in Monaco and Monza (NEC). Max Fewtrell: “It was a great weekend at the Red Bull Ring with a win from pole position and a second, I’m very happy to take my Max Fewtrell first victory and first pole which meant big points for the championship. We knew we could do it we just need to keep building the Renault Sport Academy position in the Eurocup Driver and it’s very encouraging momentum from this now.” for the championship. I want to continue this momentum in Spa. The hard work is paying off and I’d like to thank R-ace GP and Renault for all the help so far.”

Arthur Rougier

“Overall a disappointing Victor Martins weekend after being so Renault Sport Academy close to scoring points. We Driver made two mistakes in race one and had an electrical issue to finish eleventh. In race two we made some good overtakes and finished fourteenth. Now we have to put everything together and I’m feeling confident for Spa this weekend.”

Arthur Rougier Renault Sport Academy Driver

Aitken and Markelov set for Formula 2 Hungary weekend Artem Markelov Renault Sport Formula One Team’s Third & Reserve Driver Jack Aitken and Test & Development Driver “Hungary should be a Artem Markelov return to FIA Formula 2 action this weekend at the Hungaroring. good weekend, where we’re aiming to get back Jack is targeting a return to the points after a frustrating number of weeks without scoring. Artem sits on the podium and stay in the title fight. It’s a fourth in the Drivers’ Championship and aims to close the gap to the top this weekend. Jack Aitken Renault Sport Formula One flowing circuit with some Team’s Third and Reserve fast corners, with limited Driver The Russian will also get behind the wheel of the Renault R.S.18 for the first time on day two of the official overtaking opportunities. I’ll be giving it everything, Formula 1 post-Hungary test. like always. I’m also very happy to have the opportunity to drive the Renault R.S.18 for the first time in the post- race test. It feels like another step forward to Artem Markelov Renault Sport Formula One reaching Formula 1, so I’ll Team’s Test and Development be aiming to maximise Driver this opportunity from Renault.”

Jack Aitken

“I’m looking forward to getting back into the car for Hungary. It’s been quite a successful track for us in the past. ART have won there in recent years, so we should be able to hit the ground running. Hopefully we can get a good result and head into the summer break finding our stride a bit after a difficult month. There’s no reason why we can’t, the pace is there, we’re where we need to be and we just

Affiliated Driver Hubert aiming to maintain GP3 championship lead

Anthoine Hubert Renault Sport Affiliated Driver aims to take his GP3 Series championship lead into the “I’m really happy to summer break with a podium-filled weekend in Budapest. be back on track in Hungary! Overall, it’s Anthoine leads the way in GP3 by six points after four rounds with wins in France and Great Britain. Last been a good start to the Anthoine Hubert season and this weekend season, Anthoine finished third and fifth in Hungary on his way to fourth in the championship. Renault Sport Affiliated Driver we’re getting to the championship’s halfway mark. I’m leading and I want to keep that position by increasing it in Hungary! It will be hot and tough but ART and I are ready for it.”

Fenestraz targeting podium Formula 3 return in Spa

Sacha Fenestraz Renault Sport Academy Driver Sacha Fenestraz races in round five of the FIA European Formula 3 “I’m looking forward Championship at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, as he targets a return to the podium. to Spa, we’ve found the problems we had Sacha endured a frustrating round at Zandvoort last time out, leaving empty-handed. The French-Argentine at the last two race weekends. I think it’s man has one victory to his name in his rookie season, at round one in Pau. Sacha Fenestraz Renault Sport Academy Driver going to be a good weekend for the Carlin team and it’s always good racing in Spa with the long straights and slip-streaming. It’ll be an interesting three races and hopefully we can come back to where we should be, so top five or better. We’ll be working hard for it.” #12 PREVIEW Hungary

27/28/29 July 2018 Hungaroring

Track notes CIAron’s corner

This is often thought of as a slow circuit because the straights are short, but there are no extremely slow corners. Most are medium-low or medium speed, with two fast corners – Turns 4 and 11 – taken at around 230kph. In a qualifying lap the cars never drop below 100kph. The combination of short straights and medium speed corners are what makes overtaking so

difficult here, with Turn 1 being the only real possibility, and even that requires a very good exit Ciaron Pilbeam Chief Race Engineer from the last corner to make an attempt. Race Team

Tyre allocation

Nico

Carlos

HISTORY

Renault in Hungary (As a Constructor and Engine Supplier)

Nico Hülkenberg in Hungary

-5

Carlos Sainz in Hungary

This Time Last Year

UNusual Fact: 80

Almost 80km of the race in Hungary is spent braking.

All statistics provided by Forix.com