Hulk: ‘Huge difference’ with Renault’s R.S.18

Editor

Nico Hulkenberg has "positive" first impressions of the Renault R.S.18 after a mammoth morning stint in the new car on the first day of testing.

Hulkenberg racked up the most mileage out of anybody in the first session with 73 laps of the Circuit de Catalunya under his belt and hailed the progress made compared to last year.

“First impressions are positive to be honest, especially if you compare to 12 months ago, how the first morning went and how it did go today,” Hulkenberg told Autosport.

“It’s a huge difference. We’ve made a lot of progress, the car ran really well.

“We got through every single detail of the programme, which is really unusual for the first day.”

Hulkenberg handed duties over to Carlos Sainz for the afternoon session and will return to the car on Tuesday afternoon.