Renault engine boss Cyril Abiteboul has apologised to Jolyon Palmer following his retirement from Sunday's British Grand Prix.
The Briton, who was due to start from 11th on the grid -- his second highest qualifying position of the year -- was forced out of his home race before it had even begun when he suffered a hydraulic leak on the formation lap.
Palmer is yet to register a point for Renault this season and is under growing pressure amid speculation he could be about to lose his Formula One race seat mid-season. Despite Palmer's lacklustre start to 2017, Abiteboul says he has no doubts his driver would have been able to finish inside the points had the issue not occurred.