Renault’s main focus is reliability in quest for fifth place – Cyril Abiteboul

Renault F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul says the manufacturer must focus on ensuring both cars finish the remaining six races of the 2017 season inside the points if it is to meet its pre-season target of securing fifth place in the Constructors' Championship.

Renault currently holds seventh in the standings, but Toro Rosso is just 10 points ahead in sixth, whilst Williams are a further seven ahead, in a closely-contested midfield scrap.

Renault has suffered from an array of reliability problems in 2017, with Nico Hulkenberg dropping out of fourth due to an oil leak in Singapore, while Jolyon Palmer was beset by problems in Baku and at his home race in Britain.

"A positive we can take from Singapore is that we have moved up a position in the Constructors’ Championship which means a step closer to our end of season goal of fifth place overall," commented Abiteboul.

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"Reliability remains our main focus, maximum effort and flawless execution is required by all in the remaining six races to achieve that target.

"We have extra incentive to continue to push hard to ensure both cars are in the points in Malaysia," he added. "We fully expect to have both cars in the top ten as we have shown our capability on a number of occasions to be the best team behind the top three."

Abiteboul also confirmed that Hülkenberg would move onto his final power unit of the season.

"Sepang will be about negotiating the unpredictable climate and getting the best out of the whole package in the heat and humidity.

"As we continue to develop the chassis side, we will introduce a new engine on Nico’s car at the start of the weekend, his fourth, engine of the season."