Renault "should be a good chunk more competitive" as a result of its power unit upgrade at the Canadian Grand Prix, according to Jolyon Palmer.
The B-spec power unit was introduced ahead of Monaco, with only one version available for each of the Renault-powered teams. With Kevin Magnussen ahead in the championship standings, the Dane received the update in Monaco but Palmer will also have the new engine in Montreal and is expecting a clear step forward in performance.
"I will get the B spec power unit for the first time," Palmer said. "It looked like it made a good difference in Monaco and Canada is a more power-hungry circuit so if it was a positive step in Monaco it should certainly help our cause in Montréal.
"The new engine mapping certainly looks to have been beneficial and you need good traction in out of the lower speed corners in Canada. It’s got more power too so everything is good in that regard!
"We should be a good chunk more competitive. We’ll do everything we can to maximise the car around the track and we’ll be pushing all the way as usual!"
Magnussen himself is hopeful the final impact in Canada will allow the team to fight for a place in the top ten.
"It’s a more power sensitive track than Monaco so the latest power unit should have more effect there," Magnussen said. "Hopefully we have more time to get the set-up dialled-in and make use of the upgrades for the car. If we have a good weekend certainly we want to be fighting for points."
From the cockpit: Felipe Nasr on a controversial Monaco Grand Prix
Scene at the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix
Driver ratings - Monaco Grand Prix
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