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Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul believes that the 2019 season has been the most difficult season so far, both for the team and himself on a personal level.
Hopes were high that Renault would continue it's resurgence up the field in 2019 after the signing of Daniel Ricciardo from Red Bull in 2018, but now find themselves in fifth in the constructors' championship, one place behind the team's 2018 finishing position, and behind rivals McLaren.
"It is a tough season," he told Autosport. "It is by far the most difficult season that I have personally lived because of the level of expectation."
"We always said our target was P4, and clearly we are not there - we are P5, but I don't think we announced that, and I don't think we set it ourselves directly. We have under-delivered, but people have overestimated what were the actual expectations and actual target,"
Abiteboul admits that the team have been struggling with the 2019 car, the RS19, as it continues to lack consistency with results and race pace.
MORE: Suzuka qualifying does not reflect performance of RS19 - Hulkenberg | FIA rules Racing Point protest against Renault admissible
However, Abiteboul is sure that the problem can be resolved in time for next year's chassis and that the team know what is wrong
"We have been struggling," he said. "Struggling with aero development And it's not just aero to be honest, it is the whole system. We have been struggling with this new set of regulations.
"We sort of know what to do [to address the issues]. The front wings are super sensitive, the way that they are hitting the bodywork, hitting the floor, leading edge and so on, they are super sensitive.
"But until you do it you will never know for sure. Most of that cannot be done on this year's car, it will have to be done for next year."
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C. Sainz jr
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Replies (2)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
We have under-delivered, but people have overestimated what were the actual expectations and actual target,"
What a load of toss. The expectations were made because YOU said you were ready for it, Abiteboul. YOU said you were ready for P4, or to even challenge for top 3 before the season, without even knowing anything. Now you sit here, with a customer beating you to a pulp, and now you say we were unfair.
Again, Abiteboul is a hack. A con. And he is no doubt part of what is rotten at Renault. Like Honda did with Arai, what McLaren did with Boullier and Dennis, Renault need to replace him should they want to improve.
Manto02
Posts: 93
"But until you do it you will never know for sure. Most of that cannot be done on this year's car, it will have to be done for next year."
But if the next year car is driven by Ocon prepare to stay p5 for another year