Renault announces: the Spanish GP was a turning point

The return to form of Renault at the Spanish Grand Prix was described by the team as a turning point, despite their inability to finish the race.

Fernando Alonso managed to secure a spot on the front row for the start of the Montmelo race after a superb qualifying session. The performance was slightly aided by an aggressive fuel strategy, although it is clear that the numerous aerodynamic and mechanical updates to the R28 helped make things easier.

Renault, and more specifically the Chief of Operations, Denis Chevrier, left no doubt about the importance for the French automaker to have made progress. The only hitch was that Alonso had to retire due to an engine failure.

« Yes, it’s a turning point. We desperately needed to show that Renault was on an upward slope in terms of pure performance, » he acknowledged.

« We hit rock bottom during the first three races which were well below the level the team was aiming for. In Spain, we showed something really different, something very promising. »

However, Chevrier believes it will be just as important for the team to demonstrate, during the Turkish Grand Prix, that the progress is indeed real.

« Now, we must wait a few days to demonstrate that we are on the right track and justify that our progress is not the work of the Barcelona circuit, a circuit well known to everyone, » he explained.

« The Istanbul race will be demanding and again, we will try to prove that our two drivers can reach Q3. »