Jolyon Palmer is set to receive Renault’s upgraded floor for the Hungarian Grand Prix, in order to aid the team’s charge for sixth place in the constructors’ championship.
The British driver’s team-mate Nico Hulkenberg ran the new floor at the British Grand Prix, finishing where he started the race – sixth place.
Palmer has failed to score in any of the first 10 races of the season, and Renault Sport F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul is desperate for him to end his barren run in Hungary.
“We have shown at Silverstone that we are continuing to improve,” he said.
“Chassis developments, in particular, the new floor, proved to be positive – exemplified from Nico’s eight points and both cars showing strong qualifying pace.
“It’s critical to back up this improvement with both cars finishing in the top 10 in Hungary – we want to finish the first half of the season on a positive note.
“To achieve this, we need to put behind our reliability problems. We know our situation and the areas which require more attention.
“Our targets remain unchanged; we want to be sixth by the end of play on July 30 and fifth by the end of the season.
“A double-points finish is well within our reach.”
Palmer, who threw away a chance of his first points of 2016 in Hungary with a spin, was happy with the test he conducted in Silverstone with the new parts and the progress Hulkenberg showed.
“I drove with the new floor in FP1 [in Britain] and it was working nicely, meaning I’m happy to have it for Budapest,” he said.
“Nico showed the benefit of the floor across last weekend with his strong qualifying and race pace.
“It’s exciting for the team as we looked competitive and ahead of our midfield rivals. That’s all I hope for in Hungary.”
