Renault can beat the rest of F1's midfield

Renault F1 technical director James Chester insists that the French team has enough pace in the R.S.19 to lead the midfield battle in Formula 1.

The team has struggled with unreliability so far this season however Daniel Ricciardo's measured drive to finish seventh at the Chinese Grand Prix and best of the rest behind the big teams may well be evidence to support Chester's claim.

"Nico and Daniel are top drivers and the car has, at the moment, enough pace to be at the top end of the midfield," he said in the team's Azerbaijan Grand Prix race preview.

"We want to show that in the next few races. Daniel was satisfied in Shanghai with the balance and the changes we’ve made to the car has helped him in terms of braking and suspension.

"We have made a step forwards in China, but there’s still a lot more work to do."

Renault currently leads the fight for best of the rest in the constructor standings, tied on points with Alfa Romeo Racing however in front by virtue of two seventh-place finishes so far this season.