RENAULT head into the new Formula 1 season in a positive mood after a promising winter.

Despite inclement weather in Barcelona disrupting two weeks of pre-season testing, the Enstone-based Renault team left Spain encouraged by their progress.

Carlos Sainz posted the third fastest time on the final day at the Circuit de Catalunya, boosting their hopes of building on a positive second half to the 2017 season.

With the teams heading to Melbourne, Australia, for the first race this weekend, Renault accept they will be involved in a tight midfield battle in the constructors’ championship.

But driver Nico Hülkenberg is ready for the challenge.

He said: “I feel positive.

“We’ve collected a lot of miles and data over winter testing which isn’t always the case, so that’s really beneficial to the team.

“I have a year’s worth of experience with the Renault family, so that’s a good advantage for the first race.

“We’ve certainly made progress, not just over the whole of 2017 but also over the winter.

“We won’t know anything, or where we’re at exactly, until Saturday’s qualifying.

“I’m ready for that challenge and excited to get down to it and give it my all.”

Sainz added: “I’m ready and if there’s a race you’re ready for, it’s Australia.

“You’ve been thinking and preparing for it for months, so it’s a race which brings high levels of motivation.

“Now the time has come to get down to it and we have to refocus the body and the mind to getting the best results in 2018”.