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Japanese Grand Prix, Saturday
By Renault F1 October 11 2008
The ING Renault F1 Team enjoyed a competitive qualifying session this afternoon with Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet securing 4th and 12th places respectively on the grid for tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix.

 Fernando Alonso, R28-02

 Nelson Piquet, R28-01

 Q1

 1:18.290, P6

 1:18.300, P7

 Q2

 1:17.871, P8

 1:18.274, P12

 Q3

 1:18.852, P4

 n/a

After a damp morning practice session, the track had dried out in time for the qualifying hour. Both Renault drivers progressed through the first part of qualifying as Nelson secured 12th, while Fernando progressed through to the top ten shootout to grab a second row starting position.

Those positions leave Renault well placed to mount a strong challenge in tomorrow’s race where the team will aim to continue its run of points scoring finishes.

Fernando Alonso P4
“We can be happy with fourth place, which is a good result and the work we did yesterday certainly paid us back today. We had a bit of trouble in Q2, but in Q3 with fuel on board the car felt good, which is encouraging for the race tomorrow and I think we can realistically aim for a top five finish.”

Nelson Piquet P12
“I am very disappointed as I made a mistake in Q2 and I wasn’t able to make it through to Q3. It’s all the more frustrating because the car was really working well and I was feeling comfortable with it. I won’t give up, but I know that the race tomorrow will be difficult and so I will do all that I can to try and fight through the field.”

Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering
“Fernando’s position on the grid is as high as we could have hoped for and so we are satisfied with our afternoon and hopeful of a strong race tomorrow. Nelson has had an excellent weekend as he showed with his 7th position in Q1, but unfortunately in Q2 things did not really go as we would have wished. Nevertheless, he has been quick and we hope we can have a strong race with him as well tomorrow. ”

Denis Chevrier, Head of Engine Track Operations
“Once again, qualifying was very close and the competition to reach Q3 was extremely competitive. There are obviously still lots of unknowns at this stage of the weekend, but we have opted for an appropriate strategy and I think we can hope for a good result tomorrow with Fernando. For Nelson, we will think things over this evening and try and find a strategy that will allow him to do something in the race, but we know we must not underestimate our rivals in the fight for fourth in the championship.”

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11 Oct, 2008 12:39 Report
manuStudio (IP Logged)
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Re: Japanese Grand Prix, Saturday
Quote:
After qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, Fernando and Nelson look back on their day's work and reveal their hopes for the race tomorrow.


Fernando, Nelson you had different fortunes during qualifying today, although your levels of performance seemed relatively similar. What are your thoughts after the session?


Fernando Alonso: As far as I'm concerned I am happy with my day. Starting fourth on the second row means I can hope for a great race. We worked well yesterday and the car felt good today and I'm confident about our set-up...so that's satisfying and encouraging for tomorrow.



Nelson Piquet: For me it was a bit different. My result today in qualifying is really quite frustrating. I was feeling really confident this morning, comfortable in the car, but unfortunately in Q2 I made a couple of mistakes which cost me a chance of reaching Q3. As a result the race tomorrow will be much more complicated.



Q2 was not easy and it was very close among all the drivers, even for you Fernando...
FA: Yes, I had a bit of trouble in Q2 and I nearly missed out on Q3. But then everything worked out ok and the car handled really well with fuel during Q3.



What happened with you Nelson?
NP: As you say things were very close and it didn't go as I would have liked. I went up a bit on a curb, which was still a bit damp and I had to correct the car...it's not a big thing in itself but it cost me some precious tenths and my place in Q3.



What is possible in the race tomorrow?
FA: First of all the weather should be like this afternoon and the race should therefore take place in normal dry conditions. As I am happy with our performance today, I want to remain realistic: to go for the victory will be difficult and even a podium will not be easy, but we can certainly aim for a place in the top 5, behind the McLarens and Ferraris. Considering our battle for fourth place in the constructors' championship, that would be a good result.



NP: I'm going to work with my engineers to try and find a strategy that will allow me to make progress in the race. I know that this won't be easy, but I'm going to do all that I can to fight back through the field and to have a strong race.



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