Cyril Abiteboul says the Renault Sport Formula One Team can be satisfied with the outcome of the Singapore Grand Prix, with Carlos Sainz Jr. and Nico Hülkenberg both finishing inside the points to help extend their advantage in the Constructors’ Championship over the Haas F1 Team.
Sainz started twelfth but capitalised on using the Ultrasoft Pirelli tyre to start the race on to move forward and finish eighth, while a slow start from Hülkenberg on the Hypersoft dropped him down to twelfth, but he was patient enough to make passes when he needed to so to bring his R.S.18 home in tenth.
With neither Romain Grosjean or Kevin Magnussen finishing inside the top ten for Haas in Singapore, Abiteboul says the points earned by his drivers are extremely important as the teams battle for fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, with fifteen points separating the teams heading into the final six races of the season.
“Overall, we’re satisfied with this evening’s race as both cars finished in the points,” said Abiteboul. “We didn’t qualify as well as we could have yesterday, so we needed a strong performance today and both drivers and the engineers on the pit wall delivered what was required.
“After a poor start, Nico drove sensibly with his head to return to the points, making the most of an undercut on Grosjean followed by a very long stint on the Ultrasofts. On his side, after a good start, Carlos drove smartly, attacking when it mattered and controlling when necessary for his eighth place.
“Five points is a useful benefit to our battle in the Constructors’ Championship, as we know it will be very tight in the next six rounds.”
Abiteboul was also pleased with how the C-spec engine performed at the front of the field with Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, with Max Verstappen taking a super second place finish, but that result gives an indication of just how much work is ahead of Renault as they bid to become a front-running team once more.
“On a broader note, we saw Red Bull and Max Verstappen on the front row and finishing second for the second time this season, which is a good reward for the C-spec engine, demonstrating our progress on that front,” said Abiteboul.
“But, on the power unit, like on every other area of the car, we can measure this weekend once again the work we have ahead of us.”
