Monaco GP, Saturday
The Renault F1 Team took second and fifth positions this
afternoon in qualifying for the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix, with
Fernando Alonso leading team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella. This
was the strongest combined team result of the afternoon.
As expected, the session proved frantic on the narrow circuit,
with on-track incidents and traffic making it difficult to
get a clear timed lap on new tyres. Both Renault drivers came
through the opening two knockout sessions without difficulty,
and the R26 was performing well. With two runs on new tyres
planned for the super-pole session, the drivers completed
their first run without difficulty, both setting competitive
times. They were in the middle of even quicker ones, in the
final minutes of the session, when both were forced to back
off in the final sector for the Ferrari of Michael Schumacher,
which was positioned across the circuit in Rascasse. This
certainly cost Fernando Alonso pole, and Giancarlo Fisichella
a position on the first two rows.
Nevertheless, the team remains optimistic for tomorrow's
race, and encouraged by the performance of the R26 and its
Michelin tyres on long runs.
FA GF
Heat 1 1:14.232 1:14.614
Heat 2 1:13.622 1:13.637
Super-Pole 1:13.962, P2 1:14.396, P5
Fernando Alonso, 2nd position
I would have been on pole for sure today, without the problem
on the final lap. I think we had a very good strategy for
qualifying and the performance from the Michelin tyres was
fantastic. So to lose my fastest lap through an accident for
somebody else is not a good moment, but I suppose these things
happen in Monaco... For the race, I am optimistic that we
have a good set-up, and something more in the Michelin tyres
that will help us against our rivals. The car was excellent
today, so I hope I can fight for the win tomorrow.
Giancarlo Fisichella, 5th position
This qualifying session turned out pretty much as we expected,
with a lot of traffic and then yellow flags on the last timed
lap, when I found Schumacher in the middle of the penultimate
corner. Fifth position is not what I had expected from qualifying
today, but this is a long race where everything is possible.
The balance of the car is good for the race, and the R26 has
been easy to drive. I am still very confident for the race.
Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering
There was a lot of speculation before qualifying about how
difficult the session would be in Monaco, and indeed it was
a very fraught hour. A lot of judgement was needed as to when
to use new tyres, but the management of the traffic was still
largely down to luck. We were very pleased with the performance
of the cars throughout the session, but extremely surprised
to see Michael make a suspicious mistake at the end of the
super-pole that looked as if it had come from a novice driver
– not a world champion. There is no doubt that this
cost us pole position, and both our drivers had their fastest
laps spoiled. Nevertheless, we have Fernando on the front
row, and Giancarlo in fifth position. The car has been quick
and easy to drive all weekend, and the Michelin tyres seem
to be relishing the hot conditions. Everything looks extremely
positive for tomorrow's race.
Denis Chevrier, Head of Trackside Engine Operations
The most encouraging part of today's running, was to see our
drivers take the strongest team result on the grid for tomorrow's
race – even though we are certain it could have been
even better, were it not for a very dubious incident involving
Schumacher's Ferrari. The only thing we can now do is focus
on the positives: we know the car has the pace to fight for
the win, and we have completed a lot of incident-free laps
in practice in preparation for the race. Overall, it has been
a good day – with some disappointment in the final minutes
of qualifying. We expect tomorrow to be even better.
|
