Nico Hulkenberg says Renault is facing greater challenges this year due to the gains made by rivals allied to its own relatively stalled development.
Renault pulled clear of most midfield teams through 2018 and eventually gapped nearest opponent Haas to seal fourth position in the Constructors’ Championship.
Renault outlined its ambition to close in on Formula 1’s top three teams this year but has instead been overhauled by Haas and Toro Rosso.
It occupies sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, with fewer than half of the points compared to at the corresponding stage 12 months ago.
“Certainly it’s been a tricky one, a challenging one, for various reasons,” said Hulkenberg.
“I mean start of the season was more of the reliability then it was a phase where both Daniel [Ricciardo] and I made mistakes, cost ourselves and the team points.
“Also the fact that the midfield is so tight, that basically the other teams even now, Alfa [Romeo], Toro Rosso, McLaren, everyone is on our back.
“Now we’re fighting 10 cars. Last year we fought may be four, maximum six.
“So it’s also, in a way, due to that we didn’t develop enough and we’re not where we want to be in terms of pace and speed. That’s why we find ourselves obviously in a more challenging condition.”
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