As the Renault team prepares for the 21st and final Grand Prix of 2018, Chassis Technical Director Nick Chester outlines the key characteristics of the Yas Marina Circuit as well as the number of targets still to achieve in Abu Dhabi.
What are the main considerations for the Yas Marina Circuit?
It’s a circuit with a good number of low and medium speed corners. We have to work on finding a good balance on the car and getting everything out from it. The sectors are quite different from one another. The first features high-speed corners with sector two comprising of two long straights and two hard-braking zones. The final sector is slower and very twisty, so it can be tricky to find a balance with the car all the way around the track.
Another consideration point is the timing of the conditions. FP1 and FP3 are very hot, but the track cools for FP2, qualifying and the race. You end up having a different balance and set-up on the car for those sessions. FP2 is the important one, because in FP1 it’s almost a different car due to the high temperatures.
It’s Carlos Sainz’s final race with the team, how would you assess his contribution?
Carlos has been a valuable addition as he’s worked incredibly hard to benefit the team. He’s very committed, quick in the car and his feedback has been excellent, similar to Nico Hulkenberg’s as they both share the same ideas. Carlos works very closely with his engineers to further understand the package, which has helped us improve our knowledge and development throughout the season.
What are the team’s targets for the final race of the season?
We want to have a good final race and extend the points gap in fourth to really stamp it home. We’ve also had a very good result this year where we’ve not stopped the car in a race through a chassis fault. We would be the only team to have done that, so bringing both cars home in Abu Dhabi would cap off this season.
What’s the latest on Enstone and plans for 2019?
There’s a lot going on with the 2019 car and we’re well advanced in making the first chassis. We’ve got the gearbox, which will be tested soon. We’re finishing design work for parts such as the cooling, suspension and the bodywork. It’s flat out at this time of the year as we have to get through a lot of drawings to get the car made. It’s been busy and we’re making strong progress.
#MondayMotivation: It’s #RACEweek!!
The last stop for this year, the season finale… Of course we’re going to celebrate by unleashing our stunning #AbuDhabiGP poster! We have to! ?
#RSspirit pic.twitter.com/lDsq4MhCGs— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) November 19, 2018
