Renault has been left lamenting what could have been in the Hungarian Grand Prix after poor luck and car balance hampered both drivers as they tried to make their way through the field.
Carlos Sainz started a career best fifth-place after a superb qualifying display in the rain while team-mate Nico Hulkenberg had to start 13th after a fuel pump failure left him stranded in the garage in Q2.
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Both drivers made great starts and initially ran inside the top 10 but eventually slipped back with Sainz ending the race in ninth and Hulkenberg only managing to cross the line in 12th after a late virtual safety car pitstop for Ultrasoft tyres to try and change his fortunes.
"We didn’t have the pace in the car today, and the balance felt poor," said the German.
"Ultimately, we weren’t fast enough. We had a good one last weekend and it wasn’t so good this weekend, but that’s racing. When you don’t have the pace, everything gets difficult and I was in traffic most of the time, which makes things hard.
"We thought this track layout would suit us, so we need to understand what’s gone on this weekend and why the car was difficult to drive. We look forward, though, testing this week before a bit of time off. The team, the engineers and the mechanics deserve the break."
Sainz was eventually left stuck in traffic which led to him getting jumped by both McLarens in the pit-stop phase, this left the Spaniard feeling there was more which could have been gained throughout the race.
"It was a frustrating race. added the Spaniard. "It was a tough first lap with the Soft, but I got off the line well until I was pushed out at turn one and lost some positions.
"As the race settled, I started to pick up the pace and put in some fast laps when we boxed. Traffic then didn’t help and it cost us time against both McLarens, who came out in front after their first stop.
"We need to see what happened there but for sure we could have done things better today."
