Of late Nico Hulkenberg has not shied from having a go at his team, this time after qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix in a lowly 16th place the German declared that his Renault is just not good enough while repeating that the team is in decline.
Speaking to reporters after failing to make it beyond Q1 qualifying at Suzuka, Hulkenberg said, "The thing is that we get out-performed a little bit and we're just not fast enough any more."
"I am pretty sure we have not made progress. The car still feels the same as like maybe ten races ago, but have we lost? Have we made it worse? I don't think so."
"I just think that others really bolted on some good upgrades and went faster, both on the engine and car side. We are getting the cheque for it now."
"This year we plugged along and sometimes brought little things, but never a major upgrade like last year, and those little ones even did not do the job. They were not really enough of an improvement."
"Now we are seeing and learning that we have just lost out with that approach, and we just did not find enough. It's as simple as that. For a few weeks, we are aware of this, we are reacting and trying to make it better in the future of course."
Hulkenberg did himself no favours when he was punished for a mistake in the final practice a couple fo hours before qualifying, "Obviously FP3 was not the best preparation for qualifying, but the guys did a great job to get the car ready."
"I went out straight away and got a good lap time out of it, and even my second lap I was quite happy with what I had done, but honestly it wasn't enough."
"It is going to be a long end to the year, especially if you don't have the sharp weapon you need to be in the fight. So it won't be the easiest of times and quite challenging," warned Hulkenberg.
It was a dismal day for the French manufacturer and their customers.
Best of the bunch was Max Verstappen who ended the session third fastest and the only Renault powered driver in the top ten.
Next best was Carlos Sainz down in 13th in the other Renault, followed by Daniel Ricciardo in 15th whose Red Bull failed to complete a lap in qualy due to an engine issue.
Behind Hulkenberg, were the McLaren duo of Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne in 18th and 19th respectively.
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