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Renault became the second team to return to Formula 1 action today, with Daniel Ricciardo driving a 2018 car at the Red Bull Ring.
Ricciardo completed 115 laps behind the wheel of a Renault RS18, a distance of just under 500km, in preparation for next month’s Austrian Grand Prix at the circuit.
This is the first of two days of running for Renault, with team-mate Esteban Ocon due to take over tomorrow.
He's back.
🏎 R.S.18
📍 Red Bull Ring
📊 500km
🦡 115 laps#RSspirit @DanielRicciardo pic.twitter.com/mZREmbRAnW— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) June 16, 2020
As well as allowing the drivers to shake off the rust having not driven an F1 car since pre-season testing in February, this also allows the Renault team to familiarise itself with the safety protocols in place to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Renault used a 2018 car under the testing of previous cars regulations, which allow teams to run a 2016-18 machine provided it is to period specification.
Mercedes was the first team to return to action with two days of running with a 2018 car at Silverstone last week.
Racing Point will use its latest car for one of its permitted promotional days on which it is limited to 100km on Silverstone’s National configuration tomorrow with Lance Stroll at the wheel.
Ferrari is also set to run an old-specification car, although has yet to confirm when it will do so.
