Carlos Sainz says he's all too aware of the mounting pressure on Renault as Formula 1 heads to the German Grand Prix next weekend.
The team is currently in fourth place in the constructors championship. However rival teams Haas and Force India both had strong races in Austria last month, where neither Sainz nor his team mate Nico Hulkenberg were able to finish in the points.
Although the French team steadied the ship to some degree last time out in Silverstone, it still means that Sainz is heading to Hockenheim all too aware of Renault's fragile situation.
"We have lots of things we need to analyse, as the midfield battle is getting tighter and tighter," the Spanish driver acknowledged. "These last few rounds have highlighted that trend.
"We need to keep pushing to secure the fourth place in the constructors’ championship.
"Our current fourth place could be threatened if we don’t keep up the hard work," he continued. "We had a really good two-thirds of the race at Silverstone and it was a pity we couldn’t bring more points home."
Sainz is hoping that the team will be able to get back up to speed at the next race.
"I’m happy to be back racing in Germany," he said. "Hockenheim is a track I’ve won at in the past, so it’s one I’m looking ahead to.
"Even though I only have one Formula 1 race to my name there, I’ve had pole positions and race wins at Hockenheim in the junior categories.
"It’s Nico’s home race too, so that’ll be special for him, like for me in Spain," he pointed out. "That will help us both push hard on track all weekend.
"I’m especially looking forward to it as we have a few updates there including a new front wing to help us get back on the pace we showed at the beginning of the year.
"It will be the first time we’ve driven Hockenheim with the wider, higher downforce Formula 1 cars," he noted. "A lot of the corners will be faster than what they once were.
"Turns one and 12 will be especially fast, so that’ll be something to keep an eye on in Friday’s early running."
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