Nico Hulkenberg has urged Renault go get on top of its reliability issues after he suffered another retirement, this time at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Hulkenberg’s failure to finish in Bahrain and China was related to problems with Renault’s MGU-K – an area in which it has struggled in recent years – while Daniel Ricciardo also exited prematurely in Bahrain.
Renault’s reliability-related retirements this year have all come while its drivers were running inside the top 10 and on course for points.
“It looks like we have more work to do,” said Hulkenberg.
“It is not good news and we really have to get on top of these things because we are costing ourselves results, experience and points.
“And we know we have homework to do on that side. But we need to fix this sooner than later.”
Hulkenberg attempted to stay out on track and re-boot the R.S.19 but it was an ultimately fruitless task.
“It happened a couple of laps before I stopped, but we couldn’t fix it [on track] so the team asked me to park the car,” he commented.
Despite its problems Renault nonetheless holds fourth position in the Constructors’ Championship, level on points with Alfa Romeo, but ahead on results countback.
But its tally of 12 points leaves it a chasmic 40 behind nearest rival Red Bull after just three rounds, having outlined its ambition to close the gap to Formula 1’s top three this year.
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