Renault to hit track with two-day test at Red Bull Ring

Renault will become the latest F1 team to brush off the cobwebs of a prolonged off-season period as it ramps up preparations for the delayed 2020 F1 season.

The French outfit will run its 2018-spec Renault R.S.18 at the Red Bull Ring, where the opening two rounds of the season will take place on July 5 and July 12.

Daniel Ricciardo will step into the car, which took fourth in the 2018 F1 constructors’ standings, first on June 16, before new signing Esteban Ocon takes over driving duties on June 17. It will be the first time Ricciardo has driven with the Renault team since he announced he would be departing for rivals McLaren for the 2021 F1 season.

Renault are the latest to announce it is getting back into the racing groove and trial new protocols to ensure safe working in the garage, after Mercedes returned to track at Silverstone with its 2018 being driven by Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton earlier this week.

In addition, Ferrari hit the track with Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel in the run up to the opening round in Austria, while Racing Point will run its latest RP20 challenger at Silverstone next week after using up one of its allocated filming days.