McLaren revival greatly helped by Renault's power unit

McLaren are leading the way in the midfield battle but Renault boss, Cyril Abiteboul has credited part of the Woking-based team's revival to their power unit.

McLaren switched from a Honda engine to Renault powered car for the 2018 season but struggled in their opening year with them. However, this season McLaren have been rejuvenated in their bid to get back to the top end of the grid with Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris leading the way. 

Renault have been slightly off their rivals but their performance at the Italian Grand Prix gave them fresh hope. Abiteboul insisted their power unit has boosted McLaren's form but admitted Renault's chassis is inferior.

“It’s a bit of an awkward situation, but clearly McLaren’s resurrection is also due to a combination of a resurgence on the power unit side and on the chassis side,” Abiteboul told Autosport.

“I think they have a better chassis in certain conditions, we have a better car overall and a better chassis in the other conditions.

“That’s a fact, so I think it’s going to be about track characteristics and who is capable of seizing the opportunity offered by the track.”