Hulkenberg happy with pace despite reliability problems

Renault have had a mixed start to the season, showing good pace but failing to convert that to a big haul of points due to reliability issues.

Nico Hulkenberg has suffered from these issues, failing to finish the last two races after a good start to the season with seventh place in Australia.

Hulkenberg said during the FIA press conference: “To have the hiccups and the DNFs is not great, especially in the early part of the season – it’s good to get points under your belt.”

“But on the good side, every track we have been to the pace has been there – one or both cars have been in good positions and managed to score decent points.

“So, we feel we have a decent baseline, the midfield is still very tight and the top three still seem well ahead, so it’s about keeping the momentum and making the car faster week by week.”

Renault are fourth in the standings with 12 points, the same as Alfa Romeo, but sit ahead of them as they have more seventh-place finishes.