Abiteboul: "The main focus is on engine development"

Cyril Abiteboul says Renault will focus more on the engine development rather than aerodynamics over the winter break. Despite rule changes focused on the aerodynamic elements, Renault looks to close the gap in engine power as they believe they have one of best chassis on the grid.

Renault, moving onto the fourth year of a five-year plan to compete on the same level as Mercedes and Ferrari finished as 'best of the rest' this season. They took that title off Force India who may well have challenged them without their points deduction.

As Renault turns to the drawing board, Abiteboul claims the team will work harder on engine development this season.

"We’re missing about 15 to 20 kilowatts of engine power [20-27bhp] in the race, which under certain conditions has been made up for by the Red Bull chassis," the Frenchman told Auto Motor und Sport.

"But in qualifying, we estimate our deficit at 40 kilowatts [53bhp], and that’s significant. With a customer engine from Mercedes or Ferrari, we would have qualified in seventh place in Abu Dhabi. This shows that we have a better chassis than our competitors [in the midfield], but also shows we are not as good as the three top teams."

"That’s why the main focus at first is on engine development."