Daniel Ricciardo is not joining Renault until 2019 but the team is already feeling a lift from the Australian's imminent arrival, according to technical director Nick Chester.
Renault pulled off one of the biggest surprises in F1's recent history of driver moves by convincing Ricciardo to leave Red Bull during the summer break. Since joining that team in 2014 Ricciardo has established himself as one of the grid's best talents, claiming seven victories.
Renault is in the steady process of rebuilding its factory outfit, which returned to the grid in 2016 after purchasing the Lotus team.