Champions Renault apologised to Italian Giancarlo Fisichella for the engine problems that left him fuming at Sunday's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
"We have apologised to him for what happened yesterday," engineering head Pat Symonds told the Formula One team's website on Monday.
"The engine problem he suffered in qualifying had not gone away and his performance was seriously compromised.
"He lost some 50 horsepower and in fact drove a really excellent race, but he was eventually halted by an hydraulic leak," added Symonds.
Fisichella had voiced his frustration with some strong language over the team radio during the race, which team mate and world champion Fernando Alonso of Spain won for the second year in a row.
"Last year I had a lot of bad luck but starting this year like this is not great," the Roman, winner of last year's Australian season-opener, told ITV Sports.
