Renault welcome three points
The ING Renault F1 Team came away with three points from Valencia as Fernando Alonso finished 6th in this afternoon’s European Grand Prix. The team’s rookie driver Romain Grosjean completed his debut Grand Prix in 15th.
Fernando Alonso, R2904, P6
“Sixth place is the best I could do today for my home Grand Prix and the three points are a good result considering that we started eighth. It was a very tough race: first of all because of the heat but also because it was a very competitive race and I had to push all the way, constantly fighting to keep my position. But we have been quick all weekend and therefore I’m quite confident we can keep this pace and deliver an even better result in Spa.”
Romain Grosjean, R2903, P15
“Unfortunately the first lap didn’t go well for me, but during the race there were a lot of positives and I gained some valuable experience. At the start of the race I had to really concentrate and pay attention to everything that was happening around me and after that I just tried to be consistent and set some good lap times. It’s clear that I must do better next weekend in Spa and I will aim to put the experience I have gained in Valencia to good use.”
Flavio Briatore, Managing Director
“Fernando’s race was compromised by yesterday’s qualifying, but he did the best he could and brought home three points. Romain did a very good job throughout his first Grand Prix and I’m sure he will improve rapidly during the rest of the season. The car is competitive and we can hopefully do better next week in Belgium on a more ‘traditional’ track than here in Valencia.”
Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering
“After the problem in qualifying, Fernando showed good pace during the race, but on this circuit it was difficult to do more than the result we’ve come away with and we certainly welcome the points. Romain was unfortunate to have an incident on the first lap but from that point he just had to settle down to a steady race and see how the car behaved over a race distance. He did this very well and we are really pleased that he finished his first race.”
Remi Taffin, Head of Engine Operations
“I think we have come away with as many points as we could today and considering the disappointment of yesterday’s qualifying session to finish sixth is a good result. Unfortunately Romain had an incident on the opening lap, but overall he had a strong race and showed good pace. We have now finished an engine cycle which means that the engines have completed their third Grand Prix and they have worked very well for us. We will be able to use them again during certain sessions later in the year but we will have new engines for Spa which should help us be competitive next weekend.”
