Renault excited about Chinese weekend

Fernando Alonso is determined to continue where he left off in last weeks' thrilling Japanese Grand Prix at the circuit of Suzuka. His team mate Giancarlo Fisichella, drove to a troubling second place last Sunday, but the Roman is looking forward to go and fight back.

Interview with Fernando Alonso

Fernando, we saw a lot of overtaking in Suzuka. It has been difficult all year – yet Japan was like an explosion! Why?
"Honestly, I have no idea! So far this year, it has been hard to find moments to overtake, or to follow close enough to pass – then Suzuka was the opposite. I could follow cars in sector 1, and overtake. Why? Well, I think we saw good cars at the back of the grid, so that was part of it, but also the characteristics of the circuit are important. It is hard for all parts of the car, and it suited the Renault and McLaren. I think the big factor was that Kimi and I had much better cars on Sunday."

Fernando, Kimi has now won 7 races, and you just 6. Commentators have said he is the ‘moral’ victor this year. What do you say?
"Well, I will be trying everything to win on Sunday – but not because Kimi has won more races. For me, it is not important how much the others win and even if it stays like this, I am happy because to win only one race less than the best car in Formula 1 is a pretty good job."

You were very fast in Japan – can you maintain that in China?
"Suzuka was the first time I saw us equal to McLaren since the early part of the year. We don’t know if we can be as fast as in Suzuka, but I think we have improved in the last few races. There is a new E spec engine for this race, so maybe we can close even more. And I think if we are close enough, then we can race to beat McLaren…"

Interview with Giancarlo Fisichella

Fisico, how did you feel after last Sunday’s race…
"Well, I was pretty gutted to be honest…"

How so?
"Well, I lost the race – and OK, I finished second but that isn’t winning is it? But also, I had led for 40 laps, and so to lose P1 on the last lap was really tough."

What happened on the final lap?
"It wasn’t just there, you know. From the middle of the race, I started losing grip at the rear end: I think probably because I had more rear tyre wear as I had to push from the first lap, unlike Kimi who had stints where he could preserve the tyres. So his traction was better, which meant he got a better exit from the chicane, and then he had a 13 kph advantage on the straights. I was pushing to the limit, but he got beside me and I tried to be hard – but fair as well. And so he overtook me…"

That must be hard psychologically for a driver…
"Of course, I wasn’t happy! But I am happy with my effort, because I know I was pushing 100%. But, that’s motor racing – you battle for position, and one car wins, one loses. In 2003, in Brazil, I overtook Kimi on the last corner of the last lap after all…"

China is the final race of the season – how do you feel after 2005?
"Honestly, this was my best year in F1. Melbourne was certainly my best moment in the sport – up on the podium and celebrating my win. Then I had a period of bad luck, with problems on the car where I couldn’t finish the races like I wanted to, but I have continued to give 100%. And if we are fighting for the constructors’ title, it is because I have been scoring points too."

How important is the constructors’ title this weekend?
"For the team, the mechanics, all the guys in the factory, it is really important. Of course, the drivers look at our title first, but it means a lot to the team."

If Renault does win, what will it be down to?
"I will because we had a very consistent season, a very quick car and we were more reliable than McLaren. Even if we lose, it has been a fantastic season, fighting all the way to the last race against McLaren. We have many more points than Ferrari in third position, and I think Renault has done a fantastic job this year."

What about this weekend – how will you be approaching it?
"Very aggressively. From a team point of view, we have a new engine upgrade and we are trying to beat McLaren. For me, if I win the race, and Michael and Montoya don’t score points, then I could still finish third. So I will be going flat out, and as a team we will be looking to put McLaren under a lot of pressure this weekend…"