F1 | Renault: the reliability of the tests is a source of optimism, but making predictions is complicated

If the top positions will almost certainly be monopolized by Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, uncertainty reigns in the mid-table, with at least five teams in contention whose position is difficult to define. Among these, the Renault, which last season after barely managing to finish sixth in the constructors' championship, this year aims to continue the growth path started in 2016, the year that marked its return to Formula 1: “We've had a solid winter testing campaign in terms of reliability and that's a good reason to be optimists" – declared a racer.com the technical director Bob Bell. “In terms of performance, it's hard to say where we are. The top three teams are again in front, but behind there is a mix made up of Force India, Toro Rosso, Haas and McLaren".

The crowding of the mid-table, therefore, complicates the projections in view of the Melbourne weekend: “There's not much separating us, then it is difficult to draw conclusions final before the inaugural Grand Prix" – continued Bell. “I think we've done a good job developing the car and I think we'll be there with a chance to pick up some points. All teams will bring upgrade packs to Melbourne, and at that moment everyone will show their true potential”.

Federico Martino