'A careful day' - Fisico

The Renault F1 Team’s Italian acen, Giancarlo Fisichella is optimistic: the R26 is competitive and the planned technical programme was completed. It was also a very significant anniversary for Renault F1 Team driver Giancarlo Fisichella. He started his first Grand Prix, in Australia for Minardi, exactly ten years ago today. The 2006 Bahraini Grand Prix will be race 162 for the Italian.

Interview with Giancarlo Fisichella

Giancarlo, what is your feeling at the end of this first day?
"Finally, we are back to business! We did a lot of running in testing to prepare for the first race, and here we are. 2006 has finally started… We had a positive day. We didn’t do so much running in the morning because of poor track conditions, and we did a bit more in the afternoon. It was a useful session."

How is the R26 handling?
"Very well, as we expected. We didn’t use new tyres at the end, which explains why our times are a bit far from the top, but we are not worried. Some teams have third cars, and were able to go for performance at the end."

You have been used to running in Bahrain with a V10. Is the track different with a V8?
"Of course, you have to adjust some details, adapt your braking points. Some corners are easy flat which wasn’t the case before, but it’s not such a big change. It is just a small adjustment, and it was no problem."

What is the general feeling in the team?
"We are confident and optimistic. We will know more tomorrow of course, and the third practice session will be very important for all the teams."

http://www.f1technical.net/news/2051