Senna hopes Renault can keep updates during Japanese Grand Prix weekend

The Brazilian ran with the tweaked aero parts, which included re-profiled bodywork, and the team encountered none of the cooling issues that had prevented some bits being raced in Singapore.

And with the early data suggesting an improvement in car performance, even though Senna ended up behind team-mate Vitaly Petrov, there is a chance both cars will be fitted with the parts for Saturday if the overnight analysis of data shows there has been a step forward.

"The car feels a bit different from how it felt before," Senna told AUTOSPORT. "It is hard to know if it is the circuit or if it is the updates, so we are looking into it.

"Hopefully it will be the right way. So far the numbers look good, but we need to see if it is the right thing to continue or not."

Senna felt that there was more time to come from the Renault with a better set-up, and was hopeful that the team was back in the hunt for points after its difficult Singapore GP.

"I think we still need to work to find a more driveable car from my side. I am sure we can make the car a bit easier to drive, on the edge, and we know Suzuka is a very tough track to get a lap together.

"There are many corners and all of them are pretty fast, but today was a good day for us to understand the car and the track, and hopefully tomorrow with a different wind we will be better.

"We are happy to be back in the top ten with Vitaly, and I am sure we can get there as well. It gives you good hope to be there and score some points in the race."