Daniil Kvyat was happy to pick up a point in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after managing an ERS issue for the second half of the race.
The Red Bull driver had a strong opening stint, holding off the Mercedes-powered Felipe Massa and challenging another Mercedes-powered car – the Force India of Nico Hulkenberg – before the electrical gremlins struck.
Kvyat said after the race: “I was controlling Massa and attacking Hulkenberg, but then we had electronic issues and we had to give up the fight in a way.
“From then on we were losing a lot of time on the straight.”
Speculation is that the Renault hybrid system was struggling with energy recovery. During the race he was told that he could only use “overtake mode” once more in the Grand Prix. Despite the reliability issues that have plagued the Renault-powered teams all season reemerging, Kvyat did still make it to the end.
“It was good that we managed to finish.
“Almost every lap we had to do something about our electronic issues, so under the circumstances, we did absolutely the best job we could today and I’m happy about that.”
Kvyat is now looking forward to 2016, with the team hoping to improve on their fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
“Our focus from now is 2016 and if we can make some steps forward over the winter, we will be happy.”
