Canadian GP,
The Renault F1 Team began its Canadian Grand Prix weekend
in typical fashion today in Montreal, completing its baseline
preparation for the race weekend as they evaluated tyre performance
and assessed grip levels. As usual at the rarely-used Circuit
Gilles Villeneuve, grip levels were poor throughout the day
as the track gradually "rubbered in" during the
practice sessions. Nevertheless, both drivers were relatively
pleased with the handling of the R26 as they worked to fine-tune
the set-up and also get used to driving the car in the low-downforce
configuration required in Montreal.
Fernando Alonso, P2, 17 laps total, 1:17.095
Everything was OK for me today. The circuit grip was poor,
as normal on Friday in Montreal, and it was improving all
the time which we have to anticipate for tomorrow and Sunday
with the car set-up. The only problem we had today was with
quite poor braking stability, but that is also a question
of getting used to driving the car with this downforce level
and its lower grip levels. Overall, though, it was a good
first day.
Giancarlo Fisichella, P6, 22 laps total, 1:17.805
I had a good first feeling from today's practice sessions.
The overall grip levels are very low, and that made it difficult
to evaluate the changes we made to the set-up because the
handling is quite inconsistent. However, the basic balance
of the car seems good, and the tyre performance is encouraging.
So I think we can be competitive this weekend.
Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering
As we always expect in Montreal on a Friday, the grip levels
were relatively low but in spite of this, the balance of the
car seems OK. We did not have any particular problems today,
the tyres seemed to be performing well and our straightline
speeds are competitive. So far, so good, and everything is
going as expected.
Denis Chevrier, Head of Trackside Engine Operations
This is a circuit we know well from previous years, so we
were able to run our normal Friday programme today, assessing
the engine's performance on this circuit with the car in low-downforce
configuration. As always in Montreal, the wind direction is
a parameter we must account for in our choice of gear ratios,
and that was the case again today with a strong tailwind down
the main straight. Giancarlo's engine is completing its second
race weekend, while Fernando's unit is on its first race and
has a demanding cycle ahead of it. The timesheets were as
difficult to read as always on a Friday, but we managed to
establish a solid platform to work from throughout the rest
of the weekend.
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