Hulkenberg: Deficit "Big Issue" for Renault

Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg believes the front-runners are “a long way ahead” of Formula One’s mid-field.

Hulkenberg finished Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix in 7th, the German spoke after the race at Albert Park, saying:

"The guys ahead of us were a long way ahead,

"We wanted to reduce the gap in the winter, but it seems that it has grown even more. That is not good. We have a lot of work to do.”

Hulkenberg added that he doesn’t believe there is a specific weakness in the Renault, but that the RS18 as a whole needs improvement.

"It's all about the little details. It's partly the engine, partly the aerodynamics, but also the chassis, the dynamics, the mechanicals, and so on.

"We have a good basis for further work,

"Before Grosjean and Magnussen went out, we were at their pace and also McLaren's. This year we have a good car at the beginning of the season."