Daniel Ricciardo had his first track appearance for Renault as the French manufacturer undertake its shakedown of the 2019 F1 car at Barcelona.
Renault become the sixth team to have its 2019 F1 car on track with a shakedown at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on Saturday with Ricciardo getting his first chance, not only in the R.S.19, but also his first time in a Renault F1 car.
Ricciardo completed 21 laps in all with a total of 98km done from the 100km set in the rules for a filming day. Renault follows Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso, Alfa Romeo Racing and Rich Energy Haas F1 Team in the shakedown list.
“I’m happy to get a first taste in the R.S.19 today in Barcelona and I’m looking forward to pushing on and learning more with the team over the next couple of weeks,” said Ricciardo. Much like Alfa Romeo and even Haas, Renault chose only one driver for the run.
The Australian sported a test helmet for the shakedown – which from the photo looks in plain black colour. Ricciardo will be using a different helmet for the two Barcelona tests and will have his 2019 gear revealed just ahead of the Australian GP in Melbourne.
World, meet the Renault R.S.19.
Renault R.S.19… meet @danielricciardo! #RSspirit #ItsON pic.twitter.com/CIz9WO1h0I— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) February 16, 2019
First lap.
R.S.19… We’re in 💛. #RSspirit pic.twitter.com/4VzLhltCRU— BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 16, 2019
Renault’s shakedown comes after the French manufacturer sounded like they wouldn’t get the car ready for a run before the test, when they launched on February 12. But it looks like that they have passed that hurdle with the R.S.19 ready for a track run.
Only Ferrari, Racing Point, McLaren and Williams haven’t had their shakedown with reports mentioning that Ferrari will have their run on Sunday. Williams, though, has already ruled out any running, but the team were on track on Saturday for a photo shoot.
Rocking those new driver overalls! 👌 pic.twitter.com/APVyGTQhvo
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) February 16, 2019
Check out what Ricciardo and Hulkenberg had to say on F1 2019
This is what Renault’s two chiefs – chassis and engine – said on F1 2019
Here’s the Barcelona test line-up
2019 F1 launches so far:
