Abiteboul insists fourth is still the focus!

Cyril Abiteboul has conceded it is going to be a challenge for Renault to achieve fourth place in the Constructors' Championship but insists it is still the focus for the team as Formula 1 heads to Japan.

Renault have had some very mixed results since the summer break, achieving 22 points at the Italian Grand Prix but in the other races their totals have all been single figures. With McLaren clear favourites for the best of the rest title, the French team face a battle to retain their crown.

Abiteboul wants the focus to remain on achieving fourth but admits it isn't going to be an easy task with time not on their side.

"It's a long journey, but the further we move towards the end of the season, the harder it will be," Abiteboul said as quoted by Motorsport-Total.com.

"It is still possible mathematically, so we will not copy [the fourth place] It is still the ambition and the focus.

"In fact, the reward [over the past few weeks] has been quite small, considering the car has been pretty decent pace and potential since the summer break."