The Japanese Grand Prix was a hugely positive result for Renault, coming through in P7 and P9. Both drivers majorly improved on their results from qualifying earlier in the day, Nico Hulkenberg moving up from 15th to 9th on the final grid standings.
The German made a brilliant start to the race, gaining five places by the end of the first lap, which allowed for a positive race for the team.
“I’m very happy for the team today, with both Daniel and me inside the points. We fought all the way, pushed hard and everything seemed to come together, " Hulkenberg said in Renault's post-race recap.
"It was an amazing recovery from this morning where our qualifying wasn’t so good.
"I made a great start off the line, passed a few cars at turn one and then pushed on with good track position. From there, it was a fight.
"The whole second stint we were in traffic and by the end, it was getting hot and tasty out there with everyone’s tyres going off."
As a result of a strong race, Renault consolidated their place in fifth in the drivers' standings, 34 points behind McLaren.