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Abiteboul: Renault form better than the plan

Abiteboul: Renault form "better than the plan"

17-06-2018 10:30

Renault are enjoying a brilliant season so far, sitting clear of McLaren as the ‘best of the rest’ in the constructors’ standings. Drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz have scored regular points and boss Cyril Abiteboul is very pleased with their progress. 

Renault finished sixth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2017, scoring 57 points, 43 of those courtesy of Nico Hulkenberg.

One big upgrade Renault have made is in the driver department, loaning Carlos Sainz from the Red Bull programme to replace Jolyon Palmer.

Palmer only scored points once last season, compared to Sainz’s nine for Toro Rosso and one for Renault, after he replaced the British driver.

The French team is already just one point away from equalling last season’s tally after scoring 10 in Canada, something Abiteboul is proud of.

"The job is done, leaving Canada with 10 points – 10 points against most of our direct competitors, starting with McLaren,” he said in an interview with Autosport.

“That’s good. It must be three times the points in terms of points scoring compared to this time last year.

“That’s almost better than the plan.”