F1 News
Renault package suited to Hockenheim
After scoring double points at Silverstone Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul is feeling more positive going into the German Grand Prix, saying that the car is suited to the track better.
Back in Austria, before the British Grand Prix, Renault struggled, only making it into Q2 and not finishing in the points at all.
But the team bounced back at a track that is very engine power demanding, with Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg in Q3 and finishing seventh and 10th.
Abiteboul says he is satisfied with the result from Silverstone after an unimpressive race in Austria.
The Frenchman said (quoted by The Checkered Flag): “We can be reasonably satisfied to have put both cars into the points in Silverstone after yet another difficult Austrian Grand Prix, an event that has not suited us year on year.
“We showed some good form throughout the weekend in Britain, with Daniel and Nico in Q3 and ultimately an unpredictable race in which we could have and should have scored even more points.”
Renault sit fifth in the constructor’s championship, 21 points behind rivals McLaren and 13 ahead of Alfa Romeo as the battle for ‘best of the rest’ heats up going into the summer break.
But Abiteboul is confident that the next two races will suit the Renault car more, even so after looking at the weaker points of the car.
“On the whole, we showed our potential at a track which has, under recent regulations, become a real temple for engine power,” Abiteboul added.
“However, we recognise there are still areas where we need to improve and we are concentrating on these weaker points.
“Hockenheim and the Hungaroring should suit our package better although the extreme temperatures we expect to encounter may present challenges for the engine or tyres – a little like in Austria – however we will do our best to achieve the best results possible.”
