Four-time Formula 1 champion Alain Prost believes Renault can still develop ‘one of the best engines’ on the grid.
The French manufacturer, with whom Prost is an advisor, has had a rough start to 2019 with four engine-related retirements in the opening three races.
Renault’s main issue has been with the MGU-K after three failures, even a fix brought to China couldn’t prevent Nico Hulkenberg retiring and now face the prospect of a grid penalty this weekend in Baku.
“We know we’re pretty close to the limit right now,” Prost told Sky Sports. “Reliability problems are sometimes unavoidable, it’s part of the game and we have to accept that.”
But that isn’t stopping the former McLaren and Ferrari driver from insisting Renault can still close the gap to those ahead.
“We will once again be one of the best engines in Formula 1,” he declared. “Nobody talks about it, but we have the data, we’ll do it step by step and we’ll make it.”
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There was a glimmer of hope through the team’s performance in Shanghai, when Daniel Ricciardo sat ‘best of the rest’ in both qualifying and the race.
And the Australian revealed he is starting to tune the Renault car to his driving strengths.
“I’m starting to get some priorities because the more I drive it the more things I’ll come back on, like braking,” he explained to Crash.net.
“Let’s say feeling confidence, ride, feeling under braking, this is an area that can be improved. I can improve what I’m doing with the current car but in general, the car can be better in this area.
“The other areas are downforce and these kinds of things which are normal. So that is one thing I’ll probably prioritise for now but I think things will come naturally.”
Prost also commented on Ricciardo’s steady progression as he adjusts to life at the Enstone-based outfit.
“It is inevitable that such things appear – I told him so,” he said, referring to ‘teething problems’
“Red Bull’s philosophy is quite special, and it’s difficult to be in a new team.”