F1: Renault upbeat heading into Melbourne

Renault insists that it has achieved everything it set out to in the 12 days of winter testing, and says that more performance will be found before the first race in Melbourne.

The company notes that all four RBR/STR drivers have completed full race weekend simulations over the course of the testing.

“My assessment of preseason testing is reasonably positive,” said Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul. “Before it began our main priority was reliability, and eliminating the gremlins we saw over the winter and in Jerez. Now we have reached the target level for Melbourne, results confirmed by cross-examining data gathered on the dyno. In that regard the situation is quite positive.

“Saying that, everyone else also seems reliable so we’ll be banking on performance to score big points in Australia. And although it’s still difficult to compare ourselves with others in that regard, we’re feeling quietly optimistic ahead of the opening round.

“But it’s still imperative that we eke out every last bit of potential from the Power Unit between now and Melbourne.”

Meanwhile, director of operations Remi Taffin was pleased with the mileage achieved.

“With winter testing at an end we’re satisfied to have mostly completed our development program,” he noted. “Starting with covering as many kilometers as possible. Running was the number one objective so we’re pleased to have seen one of our Power Units complete five Grand Prix cycles across Barcelona’s first and second tests.

“We experienced a little down time on the final day with an ERS problem at Red Bull and an ICE problem at Toro Rosso, but are confident that the specification run in Melbourne will have eliminated these issues.

“Performance-wise, we would have liked a bit more time, but we’ve always been conscious of that situation following our particularly aggressive development choices. There’s still further potential to be extracted before Melbourne, especially in terms of drivability. But, as far as the amount of power delivered is concerned, we’re definitely there.”