F1 News
Abiteboul pays tribute to Renault's "aggressive strategic choices"
Renault recorded a double-points finish in the Mexican Grand Prix. Team boss Cyril Abiteboul puts this down to their aggressive strategy on race day as they made yet another recovery from a poor qualifying session.
Daniel Ricciardo was actually the pioneer in Mercedes masterstroke strategy which turned a P3+P6 into a P1+P3. Ricciardo started on the hard tyres and drove for around 50 laps before pitting for the mediums. Lewis Hamilton did that in reverse as the Australian proved the tyres could last.
Ricciardo qualified in P13 while Hulkenberg was one place ahead. At the end of the race, Ricciardo finished 7th while Hulkenberg scrapped a point. While Abiteboul is frustrated with the poor qualifying performances, he's pleased the team can dig themselves out of a hole.
“Every weekend, it feels like the circumstances vary but the script remains the same: poor qualifying that we turn around during the race thanks to aggressive strategic choices and solid execution. Today was another example, with also the benefit of the free tyre choice at the start," Abiteboul said.
"It could have been a bit better with Daniel racing cleanly against Perez on one side, and Kvyat much dirtier against Nico and helping Gasly on the other side. That’s racing, but I prefer that we focus on ourselves. The drivers did a remarkable job to get the best from the circumstances in qualifying and then make the tyres last in the race."