Haas sensing weakness in 'frail' Renault

Cape Town - Haas team principal Guenther Steiner is hopeful the American outfit can pounce if Renault's struggles continue in the battle for sixth in the Constructors' Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Toro Rosso currently occupy sixth spot with 53 points, but they and Renault, four points behind in seventh spot, have suffered with engine reliability problems of late and the works team are having to sacrifice power in order to see the checkered flag.

Their on-going issues means Haas, in eighth on 47 points, have a good opportunity at Yas Marina to leapfrog both teams in the season finale. 

"With the engine we don't have an issue," said Steiner via Autosport. 

"You can always have a failure, but there's not a bigger risk than there was at the races before. The engine this year was pretty reliable. 

"Renault seems to be a little bit frail at the moment in all three teams, so that can come our way. 

"But we still need to get our car in the points. 

"Even if they finish behind us and we are 11th and 12th, nothing changes. 

"We need to do a very good race weekend, and then hope that maybe they've got some issues."