Renault boss Eric Boullier has said that his team face an ‘uphill struggle’ to finish ahead of Mercedes in the constructors’ standings this season.
The Anglo-French team lie 43 points behind their Anglo-German rivals, which, although not insurmountable, will be difficult according to the man in charge.
”With three races to go, it’s now very much an uphill struggle – but this is F1, and anything can still happen,” Boullier told Autosport.
“We have a huge amount of respect for Mercedes as competitors, they are the reigning world champion team, and they have had a strong second half of the season where they made the most of their opportunities.”
He went on to praise the team’s efforts this year, particularly with reference to their dire recent seasons.
“Even if we don’t overhaul them in the standings, we can be very proud of our achievements this year,” he said.
“From a low point twelve months ago, we are the most improved team of 2010 and, in the second half of the season, we have been taking the fight to the teams at the front of the grid.
“That’s a real tribute to the quality of the people we have at Enstone and a very promising sign for the future.”
