Renault will continue to push for more performance from their engine despite a string of issues to begin 2019.

Hopes that the French manufacturer would at least close on the top three teams have been dampened after three races still fighting in the midfield.

Indeed, the last race in China would be the first time the yellow R.S.19 would sit as 'best of the rest' thanks to Daniel Ricciardo.

But poor reliability is threatening to undo all the progress that has been made as both the works team and McLaren have seen problems, mostly with the MGU-K.

“We have had another retirement [in China], the fourth in six starts, three of these were due to reliability issues,” team boss Cyril Abiteboul said only referring to Renault.

“If our objective this season - to widen the midfield gap - remains unchanged then we must accept to put in strong efforts to resolve these issues that could compromise our season.

“Nevertheless, we will push on and bring new elements over the next races."

Also Read:

• Prost: Renault can overcome and have 'one of the best engines in F1'
• Abiteboul admits Renault 'slower' than hoped as engine problems persist

Renault is having to take risks, however, because of the progress made by their rivals with even Honda, now at Red Bull, showing strong reliability to echo their improvements in performance.

A big test of the engines is coming this weekend in Azerbaijan, which features the longest flat-out section in Formula 1 at over 2.2km in length.

If able to run well, however, Abiteboul knows this could be a rare chance to even reach the podium, as a midfield team has done in each of the first three years.

“Baku is often unpredictable, the racing there is thrilling and it is an opportunity to capitalise on rivals’ errors whilst avoiding making some ourselves,” he noted.