2007 Australian GP, Sunday - 18 MAR 2007
Giancarlo Fisichella, R27-02, Finished P5
Heikki Kovalainen, R27-03, Finished P10
The ING Renault F1 Team endured a challenging 2007 ING Australian
Grand Prix. A mixed performance in qualifying saw the team's
drivers start 6th and 13th, with the hope of making up ground
through stronger race pace. Both drivers made clean starts,
and Heikki Kovalainen made up two positions to be running
P11 at the end of the first lap.
However, as the relative performance of the teams emerged
during the race, it became clear that, on this circuit at
least, the car was not competitive enough to make significant
gains relative to other teams.
Both drivers ran a two-stop strategy, using the harder Bridgestone
Potenza tyre compound through the first two stints before
fitting the softer compound for the final shorter stint. Giancarlo
gained a position through Kubica's retirement to finish fifth,
defending his position stoutly from Massa in the final laps.
Heikki was running in the points towards the end of his second
stint, but mistakes cost him positions, and he eventually
finished tenth.
The first race of the season gave the team a clear indication
of the work ahead of them during the 2007 season, which will
begin with a three-day test in Malaysia from 27 – 29
March.
Giancarlo Fisichella, 5th position
The race proved more difficult than we had expected. We knew
that we were not on the pace of the leaders, but we had hoped
to make up some ground – and now, I think we realise
there is a lot of work to do. From a personal point of view,
I got the best that I could from the package today, but I
was struggling with overall grip from the start. The car was
handling well, and we had good reliability – but so
did the other teams at the front. Hopefully we can begin catching
up from the next race.
Heikki Kovalainen, 10th position
This may have been my Grand Prix debut, but to be honest,
there is very little to remember from it – and lots
to forget. I didn't have a great race: there were too many
mistakes, and my performance just wasn't controlled enough.
I had hoped to be able to move up through the field and gain
positions. Straight away from the start, though, I was struggling
even to hold on to other cars. My feeling right now is that
the next race cannot get a lot worse. But I will stay positive,
work hard and try to make sure I have a better weekend in
Malaysia. I will be driving all three days of the Sepang test
in ten days' time, which will help me learn the circuit and
give me a good starting point for the race weekend. Then,
my objective will be to improve in every area for my second
Grand Prix.
Flavio Briatore, Managing Director
This afternoon showed us that we have a lot of work to do
to be competitive again. It wasn't a strong race for the team
in any department. Giancarlo drove hard to defend his position
at the end, and did a good job, while Heikki had a very tough
start to his career. But we were expecting more at every level,
and we need to work hard to find the performance.
Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering
Today's race reflected the trends we have seen in winter testing
but, contrary to our expectations, somewhat magnified them
too. As a team, we clearly have some work ahead of us before
we can challenge at the front. Giancarlo's race was well-structured
and he resisted well against intense pressure from Massa at
the end. Heikki spent most of his race in traffic, but he
pushed hard all the way. A couple of mistakes cost him positions,
and he found the car particularly difficult to drive on the
last set of tyres. We now have a much clearer idea of the
car's performance, and three days of testing ahead of us in
Malaysia before the next Grand Prix. Our focus must be on
improving our performance so we can take the fight to the
current pace-setters.
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