Renault will introduce a floor update to its R.S.18 at next weekend’s Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix in its bid to strengthen its grip on fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Renault held a comfortable buffer over its midfield rivals mid-season but a tricky run of races, allied with strong form for Haas, meant the respective teams drew level on points in Italy.
But Romain Grosjean’s post-race exclusion for a technical irregularity, prompted by a Renault protest, enabled the manufacturer to pull 10 points clear.
That lead increased to 15 in Singapore as both Carlos Sainz Jr. and Nico Hulkenberg scored points for the first time since June’s French Grand Prix.
“It’s good to be back in the top 10 after a difficult spell in our season,” said Hulkenberg, who scored for the first time since he placed fifth on home soil in Germany.
“It’s important to score with both cars in our fight for fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, so we have to draw on the positives from that.
“Of course, you always want more, and I can only help but feel there was more out there for us in Singapore.
“We’ll take a point and aim for an improved outing in Russia.”
Added team boss Cyril Abiteboul: “We have some further upgrades and mechanical tweaks we hope to give some further stability.
“Singapore has confirmed once again how tight the competition is at the moment as well as the competitiveness of the top teams – even at circuits we expect to play to our strengths.
“We need to keep pushing in every area and take points when we can as we know our adversaries will do the same.”
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