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Abiteboul: Renault must shift focus onto reliability

Published on 01 Apr 2019 15:52
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By: Fergal Walsh

Renault managing director Cyril Abitebould says that the Enstone squad must focus on improving its reliability after a double DNF in Bahrain.

Renault was on its way to a double points finish, with Nico Hulkenberg set to take P6 before he suffered a blown engine in the dying laps.

Moments later, at the exact same point on the circuit, teammate Daniel Ricciardo's car switched off when he looked set to take P9, his first points for Renault after missing out in Australia.

“Our race today came to a sudden stop so close to the finish,” Abiteboul said. “These are issues we have previously encountered but something we were unable to rectify in Bahrain.

“These problems are increasingly frustrating and unacceptable as both cars have shown very good competitiveness both over one-lap and race runs. We must react and shift our focus on reliability.”

Hulkenberg admits that he felt assured that he had the strong points finish in the bag, and says he learned to never get complacent with a track position no matter how late in the race it is.

“In my mind I had it already, but it just shows that you always have to bring it home the full race distance,” Hulkenberg said. “I was controlling everything. I had a gap to Norris. Everything was fine, but it came without any signs or problems before.

“It just happened from one moment to another. So a bitter one, hard to swallow. A brutal moment that can happen in racing. But on the positive side we had decent pace in the car again today. But the problems yesterday and today prevented good results.

“The engine guys at Viry will be very devastated and down. There is no point hammering on them. We need to work as a unit and help each other.”

xoya

Posts: 583

I don't have high hopes for Renault at all. They will leave the sport in a few years anyway, like they always do, then return a few years after that.

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Apr 2 2019 - 11:12

F1 News Nico Hülkenberg Cyril Abiteboul Renault

Replies (5)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
It almost looked comical. Just seeing both Works Renault, standing there, meters from each other with no apparent body damage. And the footage of them both just shutting down like two labrats running out of caffeine. But this really makes me curious. In terms of pace, Honda and Renault seem to be very even, but these kinda things, these simultaneous ES failures, Hulk's low power mode in Quali, Sainz MGU-K in Australia, this early, makes me wonder about whether Renault are perhaps already being forced to hold back.
- + 0
- Apr 1 2019 - 18:41
James Raven

Posts: 2,419
I was happy with the pace shown. They are more competitive it seems. The fact that they know what the issues are hopefully means they will be able to fix it soon.
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- Apr 1 2019 - 19:50
xoya

Posts: 583
I don't have high hopes for Renault at all. They will leave the sport in a few years anyway, like they always do, then return a few years after that.
- + 1
- Apr 2 2019 - 11:12
Patentprutser

Posts: 392
Ricciardo can’t be wondered. It is just the same story as last year. Huge misstake leaving Red Bull.
- + 0
- Apr 2 2019 - 13:30
f1ski

Posts: 726
Blah blah blah. Last year they let RBR test high output kaboom. This year we have the power. Kaboom we must focus on reliability BS blah blah blah
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- Apr 2 2019 - 15:57