Hulkenberg confident after 'bedding in' year at Renault F1

Nico Hulkenberg is filled with confidence heading into his second Formula 1 season with the Renault team following the launch of its new car on Tuesday, the R.S.18.

Renault enters its third season since returning to F1 with a works team looking to build on its sixth-place finish in last year's constructors' championship, with Hulkenberg set to lead its charge alongside Carlos Sainz Jr.

Renault is one of three factory operations in F1 and is pouring a significant amount of resources into the team to try and return to the front of the field, having not won a race since 2008.

Looking ahead to the new campaign, Hulkenberg expressed his confidence in Renault and excitement for the new season as he aims to end his podium drought in F1.

“When I have visited Enstone and seen everything going on with the development of the R.S.18, I’m very enthused about the season ahead. Add that to the news from Viry about the development of the power unit and everything looks and sounds good," Hulkenberg said.

"It’s all positive and there are exciting times ahead. I’m feeling positive and optimistic in myself. We’re in a good position.

"For this year we want to build on the good platform of last season. 2017 was about bedding in, now I want to get ready to go.

"I get a good feeling, we have put the work in over the winter and hard work usually pays off.

"I’m eager to get out there. Put me in the car."

The Renault R.S.18 car will hit the track for the first time at the start of pre-season testing in Barcelona on February 26.