Renault has admitted it faces an “anxious” start to the Formula 1 season, that begins on March 16.

The manufacturing giant endured a torrid testing campaign, which sees the Enstone-based Lotus and Leafield outfit Caterham, occupy two of the bottom five places in terms of mileage completed.

Rob White, Renault’s deputy technical managing director, said: “It means Melbourne will be an anxious weekend.”