Hulkenberg: Renault won't gain from 'hammering' F1 engine group

Hulkenberg and team-mate Daniel Ricciardo retired within seconds of each other with separate engine problems in the closing stages of the Bahrain GP, having been in sixth and 10th respectively.

Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul called the problems "unacceptable" and Renault is seventh in the constructors' standings after a difficult first two races.

But Hulkenberg believes its important Renault does not play the blame game.

"It is a hard one to swallow. Not just on me but everyone," said Hulkenberg.

"This is when you realise that F1 is about a team sport.

"The engine guys in Viry and everyone will be very devastated, and down.

"There is no point hammering on them.

"We need to work as a unit and help each other."

Asked by Autosport if it was easier to sort a good car that was unreliable or a slow car that finished races, Hulkenberg said: "I don't know which one is easier to fix honestly.

"Obviously we have a history with those problems so we want to get on top of them and we need to do it quickly. But I don't have the answer for that one."

Hulkenberg added that Renault can take encouragement from its race pace, having been on course to finish best of the rest behind the top three teams in the Bahrain GP.

"I always felt we were in the mix. We are with the midfield pack," he said.

"Maybe sometimes Haas can be a bit quicker but we are there or thereabouts. It is very close.

"It is probably a bit track-specific but I always felt that we were not far away from them, and even from leading the midfield. I think things are still close.

"As you saw McLaren was not far behind and Alfa was there, too, so it is the little things that make a difference.

"We certainly are in a good position but we need to keep developing and keep improving this car to stay there."