German GP: Alonso on a quest to reclaim points
The three-week break since the last race must have been beneficial for Fernando Alonso, driver for the Renault team. In Great Britain, the Spaniard faced significant difficulties, finishing beyond 10th place. A real affront for the 2005 and 2006 world champion. Somewhat reminiscent of last season, Renault is trying to catch up with the leading […]
The three-week break since the last race must have been beneficial for Fernando Alonso, driver for the Renault team. In Great Britain, the Spaniard faced significant difficulties, finishing beyond 10th place. A real affront for the 2005 and 2006 world champion. Somewhat reminiscent of last season, Renault is trying to catch up with the leading teams, hoping for the same finish as a year ago.
Alonso knows full well that the battle will be tough this weekend on the Nurburgring track in Germany, especially as it is not his favorite circuit. Hard work, reliability, and seriousness are the key words for the coming days.
Fernando [Alonso], you had high hopes for the British Grand Prix, unfortunately the race did not go as planned…
« We thought the circuit would suit the R29, but after the qualifying session, we concluded that we were not as competitive as we had hoped. My race start wasn’t very good, and I found myself stuck behind Nick Heidfeld, who had a heavier fuel load. That eliminated my chances of finishing in the points. I had some nice battles, especially with Lewis Hamilton, but frankly, I’d rather be fighting at the front of the pack. »
Do you think the team will be able to close the gap with the leaders soon?
« We find ourselves in a similar position to last year. The difference this year is that the teams are very close to each other. Therefore, it is more difficult to make a big step forward. It is not impossible, however: if you find three or four tenths through a development, it can make a very significant difference. It can place you five or six positions higher on the grid. The team is therefore trying to find this magic solution that will allow us to improve our performance. But it will not be easy. »
The last time you raced at the Nürburgring was two years ago. Is it a circuit you enjoy?
« This is not my favorite circuit, but it is a good circuit that offers a wide range of corners. The car must perform well in fast areas thanks to medium aerodynamic downforce. In slow corners, good braking stability and good traction are important. We will also need to work on our starts because, once lost, the positions are difficult to regain. »
According to a statement from the Renault F1 Team
