Wolff backs Renault to impress in 2018

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says that of all the rival teams in the Formula 1 paddock, Renault could prove to be the one to watch in 2018.

He said that recent investment in the team and its new driver line-up of Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz would be a big boost.

"Renault will make the biggest step forward for me," Wolff told Motorsport.com this week, during pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

"It will use all its resources, and has ambitious drivers with Hulkenberg and Sainz," he explained.

Wolff also expected that the duel between Force India drivers Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon would be "entertaining" again this season.

"Both want to distinguish themselves for bigger things in 2019 so this season is essential for both," he said.

Wolff said that he was curious to see whether the "bold design" of the new Williams would pay off. But he wondered whether the team's two young drivers, Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin, were up to the task ahead.

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"Newcomer Sirotkin has little experience, but his speed can make up for it," he mused. "Stroll must be a team leader at 19 in his second year."

Wolff added that "there could be some surprises" from Toro Rosso in its first season with new engine partner Honda. He was also looking forward to seeing what McLaren could do with a Renault power unit in 2018.

"And Sauber with Alfa Romeo is more than just a marketing gimmick," he pointed out. "It has the best wind tunnel in F1, with Leclerc as driver who is regarded as a star of the future. And with Vasseur, a real racer, as team boss."

Obviously, Wolff's main target for the season is to capture another world championship for Mercedes. But he expects the Ferrari challenge to be greater than ever.

He also believes that Red Bull's "great combination of drivers" could be a big factor in this year's title battle.

"The pairing [of Ricciardo and Verstappen] for sure is top," he commented. "If Red Bull remains friendly with Renault it will be a tough opponent."

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.