2008 Malaysian Grand Prix,
The ING Renault F1 Team was back on track today to
begin its preparations for Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix in
Sepang.
Fernando Alonso, R28-03
Nelson Piquet, R28-01
Free Practice 1: P6, 1:37.022, 18 laps
Free Practice 1: P7, 1:37.034, 28 laps
Free Practice 2: P14, 1:37.328, 23 laps
Free Practice 2: P15, 1:37.331, 43 laps
Hot and humid conditions remained throughout the day as
both drivers completed busy programmes of set-up work and
tyre evaluation. Fernando was hampered with gearbox problems
in the afternoon, depriving him of second gear, but the team
opted not to make a change to continue with its scheduled
programme. Nelson enjoyed a trouble-free day, covering a total
of 71 laps, as the team concentrated on giving the young Brazilian
maximum mileage ahead of his second Grand Prix.
Fernando Alonso
"It was hot today for the first day of work and I had
a problem with my gearbox this afternoon which disturbed my
programme a bit, but we still managed to continue and finished
this first day with some interesting data in view of the qualifying
session tomorrow. We will try and analyse that this evening
in order to make the most of the last practice session tomorrow.
To improve our performance level in qualifying is always our
objective and we are working hard on this area."
Nelson Piquet
"I did a lot of laps today and I was able to complete
the planned programme which has really made a big difference.
The fact that I know the circuit also helps and I have learned
a lot and feel comfortable. I hope that things continue like
this until Sunday as I was happy with the behaviour of the
car. There is still a lot to do, but overall the result of
this first day is most encouraging."
Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering
"Fernando experienced a gearbox problem and he was unable
to use second gear, which is quite a penalty around Sepang.
In view of the new gearbox regulations, we decided that, even
though this was a test gearbox, we would leave it on and continue
running to see what happened. Before the end of the session
the gearbox failed completely. Nelson had a solid day learning
the circuit, and his early performance was very good. However,
our emphasis today was to develop both him and the car, and
so we chose to use the tyres in a way that would give us optimum
learning, as opposed to optimum lap times."
Denis Chevrier, Head of Engine Track Operations
"The first session went well for us, even if it was slightly
shortened because of a red flag. In the second session Fernando
had a problem with the gearbox, but we still managed to continue.
Nelson had a busy programme, but we managed to complete it
which is encouraging. As usual we should not place too much
importance on the hierarchy that we saw today as this is only
Friday. In terms of the engine, everything went well and we
don't have any particular worries. We have recorded lots of
information that we must now make the most of ahead of the
qualifying session tomorrow."
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