Renault Focusing on Reliability in Hunt for 5th in Constructors Championship

The Renault Formula One team currently sits 7th in the constructors championship. The French manufacturer is just 10 points behind Toro Rosso and a further 7 points adrift of Williams. On paper, it looks like a sizeable gap to close down but Renault have been suffering from reliability issues. In Singapore, Hulkenberg was forced to drop out of a potentially good position due to an oil leak. Even outgoing driver Jolyon Palmer was plagued by problems in Baku and Silverstone.

Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul said that one positive thing the team can take from Singapore is that we have moved up a position in the Constructors’ Championship. So they are a step closer to their end of season goal of fifth place overall. For the remaining six races, reliability remains the main focus. Maximum effort and flawless execution is needed if they are to get their target. They have extra incentive to continue to push hard to ensure both cars are in the points in Malaysia. He added. “We fully expect to have both cars in the top ten as we have shown our capability on a number of occasions to be the best team behind the top three.”

He also confirmed that Hulkenberg was moving onto his final power unit of the season. The Frenchman said “Sepang will be about negotiating the unpredictable climate and getting the best out of the whole package in the heat and humidity. As we continue to develop the chassis side, we will introduce a new engine on Nico’s car at the start of the weekend, his fourth, engine of the season.”

Palmer got a huge boost in confidence after his career best 6th place in Singapore. He will be hoping to carry the momentum forward into Sepang. Hulkenberg too will shrug off his heartbreaking DNF to hopefully register a double points finish.