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Senna brings 'positive energy' - Renault

Bruno Senna made his Renault debut at Spa-Francorchamps © Sutton Images

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Eric Boullier believes Bruno Senna's appointment as a race driver at Renault has lifted the team, but warned that his failure to score points at the Belgian Grand Prix was "not sufficient".

Senna stepped in for Nick Heidfeld after Boullier said he was not happy with the German's "global performance". On his first competitive outing for Renault, Senna secured seventh place on the grid but finished the race in 13th after a first corner collision.

"Sportingly, it could have been a better weekend because we had one car in the low points and the other not scoring any which is not sufficient," Boullier said. "However, all in all it was a good weekend; we had a very respectable qualifying session and Bruno stepped into the cockpit successfully. These aspects were quite promising; it was encouraging for the team to be able to see the cars delivering and their work bearing fruit.

"I think the positive energy really came about after qualifying because everyone knows it is extremely challenging for a new driver to step in. Seeing the team applauding the drivers after Q2 and Q3 was a good sign; I was very happy to see that, and it was pleasing to see smiles back on everyone's faces."

Boullier is confident that this weekend's Italian Grand Prix will show the true potential of the new driver and team combination.

"It's difficult to draw too much from one race alone (Spa), whether that's in terms of who is in the race seat or the effect of the upgrade package, but Monza should give us a clearer indication as to how things are going," he added. "Monza is always a difficult track because it requires a low downforce set-up; it has high speed corners and high speed straights. After the steps we made in Spa, I'm confident we will have a progressive weekend in Italy too."

But he said he was mindful of the challenges Senna faces by coming into the team midway through the season.

"Each driver is very different," Boullier acknowledged. "There are different characters with varying mannerisms, so you have to adapt depending on whom it is that's in the race seat. Even if Bruno has been part of the LRGP family for a number of months now, it is a different proposition that he faces as a racing driver."

Earlier this week Renault cut its ties with Heidfeld after the German agreed not to take the team to court again over losing his drive. Senna told Agencia Estado that with Heidfeld out of the frame he felt less pressure.

"The pressure for results is imposed mainly by myself, but the announcement at least alleviates the feeling of insecurity - of not knowing what was going to happen next," he said. "I am delighted. It means I can go to the next race able to take more risks."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.