Both Renault drivers are hoping to quick solutions to overcome the weaknesses with the chassis and engine.
The French manufacturer has had a tough start to 2019 with only six points on the board after two races and new driver Daniel Ricciardo so far failing to finish a race with the team.
In Bahrain, however, the Australian gathered a clearer picture of where the improvements need to be made to give him the confidence which he is yet to find.
“The chassis itself, I was kind of warned a bit prior to driving the car that it did suffer a bit with ride and bumps and curbs – for sure it is an area that can be improved but I don’t think it is a million miles off,” he explained to Fox Sports Australia.
“Where lap time is in F1, the rear grip, then to carry the speed in, and that is where for the most part of me driving this car so far, I’m carrying that speed in hoping and expecting that the grip is there and then it is not, and I am losing my exits.
“So there are some areas which could help that which we should get soon. I’m optimistic, there is a lot of room for growth.”
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Compared to their competitors though, the main problem still appears to be the power unit which, despite improvements, is lacking on a single lap and remains unreliable, as proven by three failures in two races.
“It is a hard one to swallow. Not just on me but everyone,” said Nico Hulkenberg, after both he and Ricciardo suffered near-simultaneous shutdowns on Sunday.
“This is when you realise that F1 is about a team sport. The engine guys in Viry and everyone will be very devastated, and down. So for sure, there is no point hammering on them, we need to work as a unit and help each other.
“Obviously we have a history with those problems so we want to get on top of them and we need to do it quickly.”
If these areas can be improved, then the German is sure the potential is there.
“I always felt we were in the mix. We are with the midfield pack,” he said. “Maybe Haas can be a bit quicker but we are there or thereabouts. It is very close.
“It is probably a bit track specific but I always felt that we were not far away from them, and even from leading the midfield. I think things are still close.
“As you saw McLaren was not far behind and Alfa was there, too, so it is the little things that make a difference.
“We certainly are in a good position but we need to keep developing and keep improving this car to stay there.”
