Renault will introduce a sizeable update package to its R.S.20 for this weekend’s Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, team boss Cyril Abiteboul has confirmed.
Renault had outlined a development programme pre-season that was set to result in updates arriving for events in Vietnam, the Netherlands and Spain.
Those events were cancelled or postponed due to coronavirus but Renault has followed through with its original plan and the parts will be brought to Austria.
Abiteboul labelled them as “particularly important when we remember the difficulties of our car at the Red Bull Ring in previous seasons.”
Renault has struggled in Austria and has failed to score a solitary point at the Red Bull Ring since its return to Formula 1 as a works outfit in 2016.
Last year Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg limped to 12th and 13th respectively after failing to make it through to Q3.
Ricciardo has been retained – though will leave for McLaren after the 2020 season – while Hulkenberg has been replaced by ex-Manor and Force India racer Esteban Ocon.
“I know Austria hasn’t been the strongest circuit for the team in the past, but we’ll look to turn that around this year,” said Ocon, whose most recent Formula 1 start was in November 2018.
“The car performed well in Barcelona and we definitely learnt a lot. It looks promising, we have some new things on the car as well.
“There will be lots of data gathering on Friday to see what we’ve improved, see what else we can change and to get up to speed once again. I’m looking forward to it, and we’ll be targeting coming away with points.”
