Re: Results speak for themselves.
I believe that is being slightly unfair on Microsoft.
Firstly, F1 engines are the product of many years of development. If Renault have started to use MS technology to help design their engines this year, the results will not be seen this season. In the meantime, Mercedes have, since the new engine spec rules of 3 years ago, a better engine than Ferrari or Renault*, which is why the Mercedes-powered Force India and Williams are naturally above Renault.
Secondly, in F1 the major differentiator to a team's success is money. Ferrari and Red Bull have the resources to close the gap to the Mercedes works team. Ferrari's improved engine is now almost a match for the Merc, and Red Bull have design genius Newey who can get a super-performing car even with an underpowered engine**. Renault simply do not have the resources to close the gap.
Renault are effectively second in a league of 5, which is about what you would expect. The phrase "... a seventh-place start is "pole position in our world"" is pretty ridiculous, but a fair assessment of the fact that ANY technology used in ANY F1 team isn't just cutting-edge, it's bleeding-edge.
*I will not include Honda in the comparison out of pity :)
**Even in Vettel / RBRs glory days teh Renault engine was considered les powerful than its rivals but the Red Bull chassis was so much better.