Renault reveal "shock" tyre blistering in Austria changed Silverstone tactics

Renault have admitted the "shock" tyre blistering helped develop an unusual strategy for the British Grand Prix. A strategy which paid off well as Nico Hulkenberg finished the race in 6th place.

Things weren't so good for Carlos Sainz, who used the same strategy, as he crashed out of the race. Renault decided to start the race on the medium tyres and move onto the hard compound. No other team utilised this compound.

Sainz called his car undriveable after the Austrian Grand Prix because of the tyre blistering. Cyril Abitebould told motorsport about the interesting tactics.

"It was a strategy which was imposed upon us because of the current characteristics of the car," Abiteboul said.

"So it's coming from that situation, and learning out of it for a couple of days we made a decision to go for medium and hard compound."

Hulkenberg finished ahead of rivals Force India, Haas and McLaren as they attempted to place a foothold in their sudden points stall. They came away from Austria pointless as rival teams scored big.