Renault technical director James Allison admits he is "apprehensive" about how competitive the R31 will be at the Singapore Grand Prix.
While Renault has shown an upturn in form recently with both cars making it in to the final part of qualifying at Spa and Monza, and points following in both races, its performance on the last circuit with similar characteristics to Singapore was less competitive. In Hungary, Vitaly Petrov was 12th and Nick Heidfeld retired as the R31 failed to perform on the tight track, and Allison confirmed it was a worry for him.
"Monaco and Hungary were not good races for us and Singapore shares some characteristics of these two circuits," Allison said. "We feel we have improved things since then and we have a bit more to deliver for Singapore itself, but it is fair to say that I am apprehensive. However, if we do have a good race then we will be set for good performances in the five races that follow, as we will then have shown improved performance on three very different tracks."
Allison did say he was taking heart from the recent performances in Spa and Monza, but that the team still wasn't where it wanted to be.
"While far from stunning, it was at least respectable. For two races in a row our car has looked a little more on the pace than in the previous grands prix, and this reinforces our belief that we are heading back in the right direction."
On a more positive note, Allison said he had been extremely impressed with the way Bruno Senna has delivered for the team immediately despite limited running.
"Several promising F1 careers have foundered on the rocks of a mid-season introduction in recent years. Under the current F1 rules Bruno has had no meaningful chance to get up to speed in the car away from the pressures of the GP weekend. He had just one session in the R31 pre-season, and he has impressed all of us with the way that he has seized his opportunity first at Spa and again at Monza."
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