Chinese GP 2006: Monday Morning Debrief
Sometimes, a race result feels like a bad hangover. What
medicine is the Renault F1 Team taking this morning?
Pat Symonds Interview
Pat, how was the mood in the team last night?
PS: We were massively frustrated because we let ourselves
down. This was clearly a race we should have won. But that
is now past, and we need to look ahead to Suzuka. The great
thing is that the race demonstrated that whatever the conditions,
the car is right back on the pace.
Indeed, the team had arrived in China with some question
marks over its ultimate performance. Do you feel those questions
have been answered?
PS: I certainly feel that our raw performance has stepped
up. We said before the weekend that the headline results of
the past weeks had not shown the real pace of the car. We
were quietly confident that it was the case, and I am pleased
that the race justified that. Points wise it was not a good
day, but pace wise we can be encouraged with what we saw.
The crucial call came at Fernando's first stop, when
you decided to change both front tyres. How did you make that
decision?
PS: As always with these things, it was a team decision. Fernando
radioed in to say that the front left tyre was very badly
worn. He makes good judgement calls, and we are very confident
in the information he gives us . On the pit-wall, we knew
that changing to new tyres would carry a performance penalty
as he went through a phase of graining and the tyres scrubbed
in, but we did not expect it to be anything like as bad as
it proved. We simply got it wrong.
In that second stint, Giancarlo was flying though…
PS: Yes, absolutely. He had suffered from graining and understeer
in the opening stint, but did not have any concerns over tyre
wear – and we left them on. We adjusted the handling
balance and immediately, he was very comfortable in the car.
He had to tread carefully when it came to overtaking Fernando
given the potential for a mistake on a drying track, but after
that he stretched his advantage over Michael again.
Ultimately, though, Giancarlo lost the lead to Schumacher
in turn 1 as he came out of his second stop. Did that cost
the race?
PS: Not in our opinion. It was a tough call about when to
come in for dry tyres, and it was a toss up as to whether
you could gain from staying out on track – or coming
in and having temperature in the tyres when the other car
did. The Michelins needed at least a lap to warm up, and there
was no criticism of what happened in turn 1 when he went wide.
Again it is a case of being fatalistic, because had Michael
not overtaken at that point, he had enough tyre temperature
to do it later round the same lap.
In the final stint, Fernando was much faster…
PS: Fernando was really flying once he put dry tyres on. We
turned Fisi's engine down, and he had a comfortable gap to
Heidfeld so there was no need to push. He drove intelligently
to look after the engine and give himself something extra
for Suzuka next weekend. Giancarlo's result moved him up to
third in the drivers' championship, and helped the team regain
the lead in the constructors'. He did exactly what he needed
to this weekend.
It is often said that after a tough result, the back-to-back
races give you a chance to respond immediately. That must
be an opportunity you are looking forward to?
PS: Absolutely. The car will be fabulous around Suzuka. It
was very quick at Silverstone, both in the race there and
during testing two weeks ago. A car that is quick in Silverstone
is quick in Suzuka. We are very much looking forward to the
next race.
What will be the keys to re-establishing a points
advantage over Schumacher?
PS: It was a good win for Schumacher yesterday, and one that
shows Ferrari are at the top of their game. But we showed
enough to be confident that we have the pace to fight on equal
terms. Now the team needs to demonstrate the resilience to
do just that.
Fernando Alonso talks about Suzuka
Fernando, it was a frustrating afternoon in Shanghai.
What are your thoughts as you travel on to Japan?
FA: First of all, I think the people wanted a close championship
this year – and they've got it. The performance between
both cars is very similar, so the last races will be dominated
by the tyres. Michelin have done a great job in Suzuka for
the past couple of years, and I have a good feeling. But we
are confident at Renault, and they are confident at Ferrari.
So let's see what happens.
What about the circuit in Suzuka? One you enjoy?
FA: For sure, it is one of my favourites. For a driver, it
is a very demanding track, very challenging physically and
a tough race. It is one of those races that every driver wants
to win – and I haven't done it yet.
The atmosphere is pretty special…
FA: Definitely, yes. The fans are always really excited about
Formula 1 when we go there, and it is a fantastic race for
Formula 1. The Japanese fans have so much enthusiasm that
it is hard not to enjoy yourself.
What does it demand from the car?
FA: Everything! You need a good chassis, good aero and a strong
engine. That is what we have with the R26. Suzuka is one of
the most selective circuits of the championship. A good car
can be very good there – but a bad one can be very bad.
I think we have the package we need to be competitive.
Giancarlo Fisichella on Suzuka
Giancarlo, Suzuka is always mentioned as a drivers'
circuit. Is it one you enjoy too?
GF: Definitely, it is one of the circuits I really appreciate.
I have a big fan club over there which makes the atmosphere
nice, but from a technical point of view, this is one of the
hardest tracks physically and mentally. It is a fantastic
challenge.
Last year, you finished a dramatic race in second
position…
GF: And I want to improve on that result this year, with a
win.
Will this be a strong circuit for the R26?
GF: Yes. The R26 has been quick everywhere, so we know that
the overall package is good. The car felt very strong all
weekend in China, and even if it is wet I can be comfortable
with the car and confident in the conditions. I expect the
car to feel very good on this track.
What are your goals for the race?
GF: I had a strong podium in China, and that helped move me
up to third place in the drivers' championship. For Japan,
my aim is to keep that position – and help the team
extend the advantage in the constructors' championship.
|
