Renault are shaping up to be quite the contenders for the best of the rest title this season. Their improvement in performance is really commendable. Especially considering that they looked way off their midfield rivals during the first few races. Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo is cognizant of this fact and has high hopes for the remainder of the season.

Ricciardo said, “After this weekend, I can certainly be more confident moving forward. It certainly wasn’t our strongest track. And personally, it’s never been my strongest track.

“So to put in a good result here (and) also to have the car underneath me, really from FP1, I think that says a lot. It gives me confidence at any track we go to. I think certainly we can realistically aim for Q3 at every track now, no matter what the layout.”

Following a lackluster start, the Enstone-based team have really developed the car to the best of their capabilities, adding timely upgrades that have given the RS20 a more balanced look.

The French team put in a very impressive showing in Russia, building on some similarly solid performances in the last few races.

Speaking of the team’s improvement, especially in Russia, Renault’s Sporting Director, Alan Permane, said, “Part of that is us getting on top of the car, set-up wise.

“Part of it is here (Sochi) we have brought an upgrade that worked very well. A really decent sized upgrade which both cars have fitted and we’ve been running in qualifying, and in the race.”

Permane believes that the team has cracked the code to achieve the right set-up, week in week out. “I think we can be really confident that the car is going to work on any track,” said Permane.

Renault sporting director agrees with the assessment of Daniel Ricciardo

The package that was installed in Sochi gave the team a total of 16 points from the race. Permane feels that the package is brilliant and will only help the team get better in all facets.

In terms of the time being shaved off, he said, “It is somewhere between a tenth and a half two tenths. “Two tenths may be the absolute best but it’s difficult when you get something like that because it helps driveability.

“It doesn’t just give downforce, it helps balance. So, what we see is just working well and being predictable, which is great.”

Heading to the Nurburgring, Renault currently stands in 5th place on the Constructors’ Championship table with 99 points.

They are only 7 points behind 3rd placed rivals, McLaren. The dream would be to end the weekend replacing McLaren in 3rd place. Perhaps a podium from one of their drivers could help them achieve that.