2007 Monaco Grand Prix, Qualifying
The ING Renault F1 Team experienced a busy qualifying session
this afternoon in Monaco, emerging from the one hour knock-out
with mixed results.
Giancarlo Fisichella, R27-04
Heikki Kovalainen, R27-03
Q1
1:17.596, P12
1:18.836, P15
Q2
1:16.054, P6
1:17.125, P14
Q3
1:16.285, P4
n/a
Giancarlo Fisichella put his R27 in fourth place on the
grid for tomorrow's race, confirming the recent improvements
the team has made to the car. Heikki Kovalainen was fighting
for a spot in the top ten during the second qualifying session
when he was baulked for almost an entire lap by the Red Bull
of David Coulthard. This cost the Finn the opportunity of
setting a competitive time, and left him in fourteenth position,
severely compromising his chances of a strong finish tomorrow
on a circuit where grid position is of paramount importance.
Nevertheless, both drivers will be aiming to drive a mistake-free
race on the demanding street circuit, and hoping to capitalise
on the improved performance of the R27 to put in strong performances.
Giancarlo Fisichella, P4
This was a very good day for us, and I am proud of the job
we have done not only this weekend, but also during the last
weeks at the factory. The team has been working night and
day to improve the performance of the R27, and this is another
concrete sign that we are getting there. The car wasn't perfect
at the start of qualifying, but we made some small changes
to the balance, and it was handling really well during the
final part. Starting fourth is very promising for tomorrow's
race, but I think today also shows that we will be stronger
at the next races too. Monaco is an unusual circuit, and we
are not getting too excited, but we are definitely moving
in the right direction.
Heikki Kovalainen, P14
It was a very frustrating qualifying session for me. My laps
in the first part were not great, but I was getting more and
more confident with the car, and on my final run I thought
I could have made it into the top ten. I came round the first
corner on my flying lap and saw Coulthard's Red Bull coming
out of the pits, and thought he would move over after Casino
– or into the Tunnel at the latest. But he just stayed
there all the way round, and ruined the lap; to say the least,
I was very surprised to see that from the most experienced
driver in the field. It was a session to forget, so now I
need to focus on tomorrow. From P14 it will be a very tough
race, but I am determined to attack as much as possible, and
try to make up positions.
Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering
This was a fantastic result for Giancarlo and the team. After
our recent difficulties, a second row position feels like
pole position, although we know there is still a lot of work
ahead of us. The unique nature of the circuit certainly helped
us, but the car is also improving rapidly – and Giancarlo
was able to make full use of it. My sympathy goes to Heikki
after a very frustrating session. It is a shame that the oldest
driver in the field, and the one who is most voluble about
problems with traffic, was unable to adhere to his own principles.
Clearly, our two drivers will have very different targets
for tomorrow, but they will both be racing hard, and looking
to make the most of the recent improvements to the car.
Denis Chevrier, Head of Engine Track Operations
It has been a busy and eventful day. This morning's wet session
gave the engine team the opportunity to check the V8 was responding
well to the extreme challenges this circuit presents, and
we made the most of it. The weather was threatening throughout
qualifying, and this added another unpredictable factor to
what is always a very tense session in Monaco. Our level of
performance was encouraging, and showed that our development
is taking us in the right direction. From the second row Giancarlo
can certainly race strongly, while Heikki will look to make
up as many positions as possible after being relegated to
the seventh row through no fault of his own this afternoon.
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