Planet-F1

Renault close in on their target

Tuesday 22nd July 2008

Despite a difficult first half of the season, Renault are still very close to achieving their target for the 2008 campaign.

The French squad have impressed during qualifying for most part of the season, but they failed to carry that form over into race day.

However, they finally reaped the rewards of their hard work on Sunday when Nelson Piquet jr finished second at Hockenheim.

Fourth place in the Constructors' Championship is now within their reach, and chief engineer Alan Permane believes they will easily reach their target if Piquet jr and Fernando Alonso continue to finish races.

"The podium in Germany has certainly helped because we are now only two points off this position," he told the Renault website.

"If we have the chance to score with two cars until the end of the season, we should be able to complete this mission without too much difficulty."

Permane believes Piquet jr's maiden podium finish in Germany have boosted the ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

"That is for sure, especially with new parts coming in Budapest," said Permane.

"Then, after that, we will have a new aerodynamic package for Monza and a new front wing before Singapore, so we will continue to fight."