Renault elated after Hungarian GP finish

LONDON, England - Under-fire Renault, its Formula 1 future still uncertain, expects a stronger second half of the season since it powered three of the top four cars in Sunday's (July 26) 2015 Hungarian GP.

Renault operations director Remi Taffin said: "Not only has our reliability improved and taken us to the end of the race but our performance has also stepped up so that we are able to fight at the front."

'REAL ACHIEVEMENT'

While Ferrari won with Sebastian Vettel, Renault-powered Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo were second and third, Toro Rosso's Max Verstappen fourth.

Taffin added: "We still have a lot of work to do but this strong result before the summer break is a real achievement. We know where we are going and realise that there is still some more progress to be made to achieve such a result regularly but, for the second part of the season, we look forward to showing off the progress we have made."

While Ferrari won with Sebastian Vettel much of that was down to Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's poor starts and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen losing engine power while running second.

Congrats to our friends @redbullracing, @Dany_Kvyat & @danielricciardo for their great podium! #RedBullFamily ?????????? pic.twitter.com/mOFvK38L2r

— Toro Rosso (@ToroRossoSpy) July 26, 2015

READ: As it happened 2015 Hungarian GP

The slow and twisty Hungaroring also played to Red Bull's strengths and helped minimise the power deficit to Mercedes but Red Bull and Renault, at loggerheads after another disappointing start to the season, recognised progress was being made.

Red Bull driver Ricciardo said: "Even though this circuit suits our car more I did feel we've taken a step forward and the updates and everything we brought over the last two races, we made them work in the right way this weekend."

'MORE CONFIDENCE ON RELIABILITY'

The Australian added: "As we saw in the last part of the race, we had the pace to win. We were there, fighting for it, so I think from Renault's side, from the team's side, it's been our best weekend yet.

"I'm proud for everyone in the team to show that and show some progress and maybe we won't get asked so many questions now in Spa."

Renault F1 managing director Cyril Abiteboul said performance would improve "as we tune up engine power with more confidence on reliability".

Renault is expected to announce in coming weeks whether it intends to buy a team (Lotusthe most likely option), remain merely an engine provider, or pull out entirely.

Congrats to @ToroRossoSpy & @Max33Verstappen on his personal best P4 in #F1. A great drive! #RedBullFamily pic.twitter.com/TSiSLbufBN

— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 26, 2015