Spain an opportunity for Renault to 'reset'

Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul says that Spain is an opportunity for the Enstone team to rest following a disappointing start to the season. 

After the opening four races of the 2019 campaign, Renault is seventh in the constructors' championship, with Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg picking up one top ten finish each.

It's been an underwhelming start for the former world champions, who were aiming to steer clear of the midfield in 2019 after finishing fourth in the standings last year.

Most teams, including Renault, will be bringing major upgrades to the first non-flyaway race of the year this weekend, which Abiteboul hopes will allow Renault to start afresh.

"The start of the European segment of the 2019 Formula 1 season is an opportunity for us to reset.

"Overall, it’s been a tough start to the year and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix capped off a run of results that fell short of our expectations.

"We know we are capable of much more and we need to target clean weekends and races to make the most of our potential.

"To do so, we have work to do on all sides of our operation; chassis and engine on and off track, and work with the drivers to allow them to reach their respective capacities.

"We are motivated as ever to strive for more and we aim for a full recovery in competitiveness in Spain."

Renault to bring 'reasonable upgrades' to Barcelona

Renault technical director Nick Chester confirmed that it would bring upgrades to the upcoming weekend, describing them as "reasonable" in the hope of gaining performance.

"Barcelona is a very familiar track for Formula 1 teams with all the pre-season testing conducted there in recent years," Chester said.

"It’s a combination of high-speed and low-speed corners and short and long straights, so you get a full range of conditions to see how the car operates.

"Turns 3 and 10 are very fast nowadays, but there’s also some slow stuff to get right towards the end of the lap in the tighter sector three.

“As the first European round, Barcelona does offer a good opportunity to bring a number of updates to the car.

“Most other teams will do the same, but we have a number of reasonable upgrades that are positive. We have a few aero parts to add to the front wing and rear of the car."