F1 News
Abiteboul expecting a close battle with McLaren until the end
McLaren may have beaten Renault at the French outfits home Grand Prix last weekend but Cyril Abiteboul is expecting an interesting battle between the two sides for the rest of the season, as they go head to head for the best of the rest spot.
Renault and McLaren have pulled away slightly in recent weeks, in the battle for midfield supremacy but it was McLaren who came out on top in France. McLaren were fantastic in qualifying, securing P5 and P6 before finishing the race in sixth and ninth. Both Renault's crossed the line inside the top ten at the French Grand Prix but Daniel Ricciardo was given two five second time penalties for the drama on the last lap, which included McLaren driver, Lando Norris (P9).
McLaren currently lead the way in the midfield battle, aided by Carlos Sainz's P6, but Abiteboul believes it is very tight between the two constructors and he's an expecting a battle until the end.
"We've seen that we are just as quick if not quicker than McLaren when not held back, but obviously McLaren was so much faster in qualifying, and that's what matters the most in current F1," Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.
"McLaren is a good brand, they are a car maker, which matters to us. They are our partner and customer team, so their success is also coming from our contribution.
"Having said that we are not miles away, and we were much faster than them in Montreal. What I expect is to see an interesting battle with McLaren for the remainder of the season."