5 bold predictions for Formula 1 in 2019

#3 Renault to catch the top 3 teams

The signing of Daniel Ricciardo (left) was a real coup for Renault.

Since returning as a constructor in the 2016 season, Renault have improved on their constructor's championship position year-on-year. 9th in 2016, 6th in 2017 and 4th with the coveted "best of the rest" spot last year shows impressive progress, even for a team as well funded as they are.

Daniel Ricciardo joins from Red Bull this year, something that wouldn't be happening if the Aussie wasn't impressed with what the French outfit had to offer, and I'm not talking about his salary.

Ricciardo is a true racer, he wouldn't be moving teams after spending his entire F1 career in the RBR setup if he didn't believe the yellow cars can climb the order in the coming years. Not to mention Nico Hulkenberg as well, the German being an extremely consistent and fast driver, usually finishing best of the rest in Grands Prix.

I don't expect Renault to finish higher than fourth in the constructor's championship, but the RS19 should allow the gap to third to reduce from a mammoth 297 in 2018.