Carlos Sainz's 2018 Formula 1 season with the Renault F1 Team marked a year of consolidation and consistent performance, showcasing his ability to extract results from a developing midfield package.
Going in
Having joined the Renault F1 Team for the final four races of 2017, Carlos Sainz entered the 2018 season with a full pre-season under his belt and the expectation of contributing to Renault's ambition to lead the midfield. The team, armed with the R.S.18 chassis and its V6 turbo-hybrid power unit, aimed to solidify its fourth-place position in the Constructors' Championship and close the gap to the top three. Sainz, partnered with the experienced Nico Hülkenberg, was tasked with delivering consistent points and pushing the team's development trajectory forward. This era, dominated by Mercedes' V6 turbo-hybrid power units, meant that Renault, as a works team, was under pressure to demonstrate progress against both customer teams and the established front-runners.
How it played out
Sainz's season was characterized by a steady accumulation of points, frequently placing the Renault R.S.18 within the top ten. He demonstrated strong qualifying performances, often matching or occasionally out-qualifying his teammate, Nico Hülkenberg. The intra-team battle was a significant narrative, with both drivers pushing each other. While Hülkenberg generally held an advantage in the championship standings, Sainz consistently proved his mettle, particularly in race trim. The R.S.18, though a solid midfield contender, lacked the ultimate pace to challenge for podiums, a reality for most teams outside of Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull during this turbo-hybrid era. Despite this, Sainz's ability to maximize the car's potential was evident, contributing significantly to Renault securing fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, a notable achievement for the team's rebuilding phase. His season included several strong finishes, including a P5 in Baku and consistent points in races like France, Hungary, and Singapore.
Defining moments
One of Sainz's most notable performances came at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, where he secured a strong P5 finish. In a race marked by incidents and safety car periods, Sainz demonstrated composure and effective race management to capitalize on the chaos. Another strong showing was at the French Grand Prix, where he qualified P8 and finished P8, a solid result at the team's home race. Towards the end of the season, his P6 finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a fitting farewell to the Renault team, securing the Constructors' P4 for them. This season also featured the announcement of his move to McLaren for 2019, a significant career trajectory shift that positioned him to lead a new project, much like Oscar Piastri — 2023 season would later do for the same team.
What it meant
Carlos Sainz's 2018 season at Renault solidified his reputation as a highly capable and consistent midfield driver. His performances, often extracting the maximum from the R.S.18, demonstrated his adaptability and race craft. This consistent output was a key factor in his securing a multi-year contract with McLaren, a move that would see him become a pivotal figure in their resurgence alongside future teammate Lando Norris — 2025 season. The 2018 season was a crucial stepping stone, proving his ability to lead a factory team's efforts and setting the stage for his subsequent successful chapters, including the foundation for future McLaren driver pairings, such as Oscar Piastri — 2024 season. It marked the end of his association with the Red Bull driver program, transitioning him into a fully independent and sought-after talent in the Formula 1 paddock.
