Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul admitted the fault which put Esteban Ocon out of the Styrian Grand Prix was a repeat of the same problem the team suffered a week earlier.
Daniel Ricciardo retired in the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix, while Ocon was sidelined 26 laps into Sunday’s race after qualifying fifth.“[There’s] lots of emotions after a weekend like this one,” said Abiteboul. “We had good emotions after qualifying with both cars reaching Q3 and Esteban who showed a very strong pace in extreme conditions, demonstrating his outstanding driving skills in his second qualifying with us.
“The emotions were much more painful after another retirement for one of our cars caused by exactly the same issue as last weekend.”
Renault sent a batch of radiators back to its Enstone factory for inspection following Ricciardo’s retirement last week.
“We had put lots of effort to return, examine the parts in Enstone, and send it back to the track, but clearly there is something that we missed,” said Abiteboul.
“This poor level of reliability is, obviously, not acceptable in a field that is so tight. The race also showed that we need a bit more pace against our direct competitors. Daniel had a good race and he did well to defend for so long.
“Overall, the prevailing feeling is one of disappointment, however, we should not deter from the fact we’ve improved massively at this track compared to previous years. The car has made huge steps forwards but so have the other teams. Now it’s gloves off for the rest of the season.”
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DAllein (@)
13th July 2020, 8:22
Can we expect to have comments of poker-faced Alonso even before the start of next season?
DB-C90 (@dbradock)
13th July 2020, 9:56
For a team that has done nothing but focus on reliability since 2014, Renault’s unreliability is astounding.
Cyril must be so proud of what they have achieved.
Tristan (@skipgamer)
13th July 2020, 10:04
No no, the plan was to focus on the reliability for the first year, then performance for the second, then be back at the front fighting for podium within 3 years… No make it 5 years… No make it 7, 9… Ofcourse it will take 3 more years from here.
Anyone remember Eric Boullier? Anyone know what happened to McLaren when they got rid of him?
Time for Abiteboul to start handing out Freddo’s…
The Skeptic (@)
13th July 2020, 10:08
His compliment for Daniel’s performance in the race must have come through gritted teeth.
Duncan Idaho (@didaho)
15th July 2020, 11:57
He might have felt a little responsible for Daniel’s lost places after letting his drivers on different strategies waste time and tyre life scrapping with each other earlier in the race. He must know that Ocon is one of the least team oriented drivers in the pool.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th July 2020, 10:32
F1 teams need realists, like Zak, he has no technical know how, no nepotism no nothing, he makes mistakes but points the finger to himself, sure the indy mistake cost someone elses job but it was Fernley who headed it, his head on the line. Zak hired the right people fired the right people, he picked up a loyal group, He, Gil and others, hard decision with Honda a lot of financial security lost but, mercedes power looming ahead. Their first car was inspired on the benchmark, the merc. mclaren was, wisely the 1st team copy mercedes aero wise. Few gps into last season, zak hires Seidl, let the technical personnel he trusts head the team and step back. Seidl somehow got all the credit even though he clearly stated he had none but does not matter. 2 races, almost perfect execution, on the same renault power.
AriGold (@arigold)
13th July 2020, 13:53
Shows you the difference between a team that takes itself seriously, Mercedes, and a pretender like Renault.
Mercedes had a problem in the first race and resolved it in time for the second so they are not stuck in the same situation.
Renault obviously didn’t do anything to address the root cause of the problem they suffered in the first race.
Chaitanya
13th July 2020, 17:29
On a serious note given how many cars were suffering from heat, Barcelona is going to be hot hell for all the teams.