Renault updates to 'enhance performance' at Singapore - Abiteboul

Renault Sport F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul believes the French outfit can consolidate its position as 'best of rest' in Singapore, a track better suited to the qualities of it R.S.18 than F1's recent high speed venues.

Renault knew it would be facing a difficult time at Spa and Monza, the low-downforce layouts not playing into the strengths of its 2018 car.

Belgium yielded zero points, with Nico Hulkenberg eliminated at the outset following his involvement in the race's first lap crash, while Italy saw Sainz secure an eight-place finish that put the team back in control of the midfield after the disqualification of Romain Grosjean's Haas.

"Spa and Monza were never going to play to our advantages, but in addition to the expected challenges of the circuits’ characteristics, we also had to deal with a number of penalties," said Abiteboul.

"Some strategic and some more self-inflicted. It is behind us and we came away from Monza by returning to the points, and a better hold on performance.

"We did, however, get a taste of the strength of the competition. The midfield is extremely tight and we need to optimise every single element to keep our slender advantage going forward."

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Renault's past track record in Singapore reflects the team's historical good performance at the Marina Bay street circuit.

"We are looking forward to Singapore, a track we believe should suit our package," added the Renault manager.

"You can never tell what the competition is going to do, but we know we have another few updates coming that should further enhance our performance for this race and also going forward.

"It’s also one that the drivers particularly enjoy and performances are generally good there, so we have confidence in their ability to get the job done."

Abiteboul underlined the team's battle on both the current front, where it hopes to hold its own behind F1's three front-running teams, and back at the factor where designers and engineers are hard at work on next year's car.

"As important as this year and our championship position is, we can’t take our eyes off development of next year’s car," acknowledged Abiteboul.

"We are developing the R.S.19 in parallel to racing in 2018 and will have to carefully manage resources to ensure no drop off in either area.

"This will be kept in sharp focus at the coming races as we reach the end of the season, but we are well structured and resourced to do so."

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