F1: Renault points psychologically important

Renault's first points since returning to Formula 1 as a works team in the Russian Grand Prix marked a vital psychological step, says racing director Fred Vasseur.

The French manufacturer took over Lotus but with the deal happening late last year, it entered the season with a compromised car and has since struggled for pace. Kevin Magnussen avoided any of the first lap incidents to run 10th, having started 17th, and then raced strongly with a good strategy to finish seventh.

"It's important also for the teams in Viry-Chatillon and Enstone because they have worked a lot over the last month," said Vasseur. "It is one step; it's always good to have the question 'when will you score your first points' behind you."

Trackside director of operations Alan Permane was particularly pleased with the team's performance in relation to its immediate rivals.

"We outraced the Haas, fair and square," he told Autosport. "We were lucky with other cars but Kevin put us in that position with a very strong first lap and we were able to use the strategy to keep him there. The car performed well, it looked after its tires well and the engine and chassis is working well together. With Kevin, we had enough speed on the straights to defend and even attack [Red Bull's Daniel] Ricciardo a bit."

Vasseur highlighted Renault's progress in getting the tires to work but said a lot more needs to be done in terms of consistency.

"We [have] missed the consistency between soft and super-soft, or medium and soft, and so the results were poor, but we had always a good stint in the race," he said. Sunday was the first time that we were able to do two good stints in a row with two different compounds and I think it's a good step.

"We have probably to work a lot on the tire understanding – we are a bit inconsistent until this point – it's probably a key point."

Originally on Autosport.com