Renault drivers upbeat for Melbourne

The Renault F1 team look forward to Australia after an excellent 1-2 podium finish in Malaysia and two wins in the first 2 Grand Prix. One again, the team sets the standard in the beginning of the season. Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella both expect to win as the car's potential is obviously there.

They have given me more confidence. After these races, we know the car is competitive, it has won the first two races, and that gives me the conviction that we can be quick at the next sixteen rounds too. It is a difficult feeling to explain, but having seen what the car can do, I don’t have any doubts that we can win the championship again. I am very optimistic after these opening rounds.

Absolutely. Melbourne always has one of the best atmospheres of the whole season. I think it comes from the people, and their culture, they always make it a good Grand Prix. It is a long way from home, but we are always happy to be in Melbourne, to feel the country’s passion for Formula 1. It will be a fantastic weekend this year, I am sure.

Normally, it doesn’t change too much. The fact it is a street circuit means there are some traffic lines on the asphalt, so it we get any rain, then you have to choose the line very carefully because these areas are slippery, and that can make the circuit a bit complex. It is quite bumpy too, and takes a long time to clean up during the race weekend. It makes for a difficult Grand Prix.

I think so, yes. Over the last few years, good braking and traction have been strong characteristics of the Renault cars, and this is what you need in Melbourne. The key is the slow-speed chicanes, where you arrive in sixth or seventh gear, brake hard, then get back on the throttle in second gear. We know the car is good in those areas, and we were very quick at this circuit last year. It should be the same for 2006.

For sure! We had a fantastic weekend in Malaysia, to get the pole and the race win, and to do it without any unusual circumstances like in Melbourne 2005. Even in Bahrain, the car felt very strong and taking into account the power loss, I was very competitive. And now we are in Melbourne. I have a great feeling here, I won last year, and I am hoping to do the same again!

I think the first two races have shown we have a good potential. In the winter, I said I wanted to go for the championship, and these races have shown that I have the chance to do well at every circuit, and to fight for the title. That is my dream, and my goal this year. The atmosphere within the team is fantastic, and I have a great relationship with Fernando. The feeling is very positive.

The fact that it is a street circuit means it changes a lot, so it is difficult to find a good set-up on Friday, and to find good grip. Obviously, we want a nice balance on the car, to make it easy to drive. But the really important thing is to get good traction out of the slow corners and chicanes, and we concentrate on this.

Well, this is the last flyaway race, and it is very important to score lots of points early in the season. I think Renault will be very competitive in Australia, and I am going for the win. I want to arrive in Imola, one of my home races, with a very strong position in the championship.