Alonso feeling confident

The Mild Seven Renault F1 Team driver is feeling confident. He knows that starting from pole gives him a great chance of a strong result in the race. Fisichella drove a great qualifying lap and is 3rd on the grid. Technical Director Bob Bell was very pleased with the performance of the R25 during the qualifying session.

Interview with Fernando Alonso

Congratulations Fernando…
"Thanks! It was a nice performance today: me on pole and Fisi third is a great reward for all the team’s hard work in the last few weeks. Now, we need to finish the job: there are 71 laps tomorrow!"

Your car seems a lot closer to the McLarens than in recent races. Why?
"I think the developments have made a really good difference. Recently, we knew we couldn’t fight with the McLarens over one lap. Today, we could. Giancarlo and I were really pleased to have such a quick car this weekend. We are confident."

How was your lap?
"Montoya was quickest when I went out, and he was very quick. But the track conditions improved, and I made the most of it. The wind slowed me a bit in the straight, but helped me be quick through turns 6 and 7. I didn’t see Kimi’s mistake because I was on my in-lap, but my engineer told me about it over the radio."

Are you thinking of the title now?
"If this was the last race of the season and everything was resting on tomorrow, then I would be worried. But the situation is different: there are three races to go, and I can afford to finish each one in 7th place. So I’ll sleep fine tonight! Starting from pole is the best start I can have."

What will be the aim for tomorrow?
"To maintain my concentration, make no mistakes, and get to the finish with both cars on the podium. Maybe even win if that is possible. We are in a good position, and the fact I am on pole means I hopefully don’t have to worry about a collision at the first corner."

Interview with Giancarlo Fisichella

Giancarlo, how was your qualifying lap?
"Very good. The track was more slippery than this morning, and it was easy to make a mistake. So I tried to do a clean lap and attack without any unnecessary risks. The car was great, really well balanced. I didn’t think I could be so high up the order, so it’s a nice surprise, because when you run first in qually it usually costs you a few tenths. We managed to overcome that today."

What is your goal for tomorrow?
"To push 100%, get to the finish and score the maximum number of points. The race will be between Renault and McLaren, and the result will be really important for the constructors’ title."

Kimi Raikkonen will start just behind you…
"Yes – and he needs to finish in front! The chassis and engine developments the team has made are a good step forward. That means we can take the fight to McLaren, who were much quicker than us in the last four or five races. I think it will be a fun race tomorrow."

Interview with Bob Bell, Technical Director

Bob, what did you think of today’s qualifying performance?
"It was excellent. I think we are back close to McLaren thanks to the developments this weekend: a new aero package and engine update. We haven’t compared the old and new versions this weekend, but we have found the same gains as at Silverstone. I think we can the package has been approved for race use!"

Is the performance partly due to the nature of the circuit?
"Not at all. We have developed the car and made it quicker, simple. I think we have gained maybe 2 or 3 tenths."

Was the car easy to set up this weekend?
"It was a bit more complicated than usual because the track was very slippery on Friday. We made some changes to the settings and found a good balance. It is one of the car’s strengths: what we find at the track matches our predictions."

Are you confident for tomorrow?
"Yes, because the race pace will be a key factor. Yesterday, Fernando and Giancarlo’s long runs were ver consistent indeed. It’s a promising sign."