Renown's speed would not guarantee an escape in the restricted waters of the Eastern Mediterranean. A sustained gunnery engagement is considered more likely there, increasing the value of heavier fighting strength. The Western Mediterranean offers a battlecruiser more room to maneuver, so service in that basin does not establish equal suitability farther east. In this scenario, the damage to Queen Elizabeth and Valiant does not automatically make Renown the appropriate replacement.
Notable Point · 1:19:13-1:19:52
Why Renown's speed is less useful in the Eastern Mediterranean
Restricted sea room reduces a battlecruiser's ability to use speed to avoid a prolonged gunnery action.