Renault very satisfied with another strong performance

The ING Renault F1 Team enjoyed another strong afternoon at the Shanghai International Circuit as Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet finished in 4th and 8th places in the Chinese Grand Prix. Starting 4th and 10th on the grid, both drivers had good opening stints with Fernando having an exciting opening lap battle with Kovalainen to maintain his 4th position.

Fernando made an early first pit-stop on lap 14 and held his 4th position as the first round of stops unfolded, while Nelson remained comfortably in the top ten after his stop on lap 23 as both Renault’s showed good pace and consistency.

Fernando made his final stop at the end of lap 35 where he fitted the softer option Bridgestones to rejoin in a solid 4th for an unchallenged run to the flag. Nelson joined Fernando in the points after his second pit-stop a couple of laps later.

Those 6 points have brought the team’s points total to 72 and secured Renault’s fourth position in the constructors’ championship. The team now looks forward to the Brazilian Grand Prix in two weeks time, the final round of the season.

Fernando Alonso P4
“Fourth place is the best result that we could have hoped for today and so I am therefore extremely satisfied with my race. We had good pace, close to the Ferrari, which is another reason to be pleased. We have now won the battle for fourth place in the constructors’ championship, which was our objective, and so we can approach the Brazilian Grand Prix with confidence and aim to make the most of this final race of the year.”

Nelson Piquet P8
“It was a difficult race but I am happy with my performance. Of course I would have liked to have made more progress through the field, but the end result is satisfying and I have scored an important point, which has helped the team finally confirm its fourth place in the constructors’ championship.”

Flavio Briatore, Managing Director ING Renault F1 Team: “It’s was a good race for us today. We were able to show our true level of performance and that we are stronger than BMW and very close to Ferrari. Our result means we have secured fourth place in the constructors’ championship and confirmed our recent progress.”

Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering: “Another strong race for us today. Points scored by our both drivers have now secured our fourth position in the championship, which was the target we set ourselves in the middle of the season.”