Following the launches of the new Haas F1 and Williams 2018 F1 cars, as well as Red Bull’s RB14, the Renault and Alfa Romeo Sauber unveiled their 2018 challengers on Tuesday.
The C37 Alfa Romeo Sauber
Marking the start of its title sponsorship with Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo, Sauber unveiled the C37 for the 2018 F1 season. The car was launched with the same livery used when the team first announced their partnership with Alfa Romeo who is returning to Formula One after an absence of over three decades.
As far as the livery goes, the car could probably have done with a little more red. As our own Natalie le Clue commented, “It’s going to look just like a Williams from the front. More red dammit!”.
The C37 has been built on a new design philosophy – one that Sauber’s technical director Joerg Zander hopes will bring Sauber back up to the midfield.
According to the team, the focus has been improved aerodynamics in addition to changes to meet the new technical regulations for F1 2018 which include the removal of the shark fin and T-wings and the addition of the halo cockpit protection system.
The C37 will also be competing with Ferrari’s 2018 spec power units. Zander says that the team is “positive that the new concept offers us more opportunities and will help us to make improvements during the course of the season. The 2018 Ferrari engine will also give us a boost in term of our performance.”
Renault’s R.S.18
Renault also revealed images of its 2018 challenger on Tuesday – the car manufacturer’s third new chassis since its return to F1 as a works’ entry. The car features a brand new ‘reversed’ livery and according to the team is a progression and refinement of the concepts developed during F1 2017. This includes improved suspension and better aerodynamic downforce.
The R.S.18 also features the new Halo cockpit protection system and all technical changes to meet the new regulations for the 2018 season.
Renault Sport Racing President Jérôme Stoll said that the “Renault Sport Formula One Team’s ambition is clearly to uphold the outstanding record of the past and the 2017 season has confirmed we are on the right track. We are a team on the rise.
“We have two very talented drivers who are hungry for results. Enstone is regenerated and the workforce has already increased by more than 35%. Our investment has so far been successfully translated to the track as we rose from ninth to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2017 and ended the year with the fourth fastest car.”
“The success of the programme in just two years is a testament to the resilient plan laid down early in the creation of the team and the strong job done by Cyril and the entire Renault Sport Racing teams. I am convinced year three will take us one step closer to the long-term aim: winning races and challenging for championships.”
Photos: Alfa Romeo Sauber & Renault
