McLaren is not changing the calculation on the threat posed by Renault despite their exclusion from the Japanese Grand Prix.
The lost nine points for the French manufacturer means the gap to fourth is now 43 points with four races to go, starting this weekend in Mexico.
While admitting the extra buffer is always welcome, however, Carlos Sainz acknowledges nothing is certain in Formula 1’s manic midfield.
“I think before we were already in a fairly good and comfortable position, but probably after that, it gives us probably even more margin, which is always helpful, because in the midfield you never know,” the Spaniard was quoted by Motorsport Week on Thursday.
“If in one race there is chaos, and for some reason, someone gets a third place or a fourth place, it’s a lot of points, so it’s better to have more margin.
“You can also still get Renault to finish fifth and sixth in every race, or sixth and seventh, and us to not get too many points, but it’s more difficult for them for sure.”
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McLaren’s wariness is well advised with Renault cutting a similar gap down to just 18 points in two races after the summer break, with Lando Norris can’t rule a similar drop again.
“If for whatever reason we have a double DNF it’s quite easy for Renault to get a load of points and within one race they could be completely back on us again and we have to start worrying about them,” said the Briton.
“It’s nice after what happened that we have a bit more of a comfort gap, but all the way to Abu Dhabi we have to keep pushing.
“Renault have got a faster car than what they’ve been able to show in the past few weekends.
“Their race pace in Japan was very strong, they messed up in qualifying. I think they have a very fast car and just kept making mistakes… I hope they keep making those mistakes! If they don’t they’ll be very competitive.”