I think there are still a few surprises in store - Chevrier

The Head of Engine Trackside Operations of the ING Renault F1 Team, Dennis Chevrier, talks about the team’s qualifying session yesterday at Interlagos. Giancarlo Fisichella will start today's race from 12th position as Heikki Kovalainen will start from a disappointing 17th place.

"It was not very good and there’s no sense in denying it. What should be pointed out, though, is the performance level behind the two best teams is very close and that the Interlagos lap is a very short one. The gaps are even tinier than usual so the slightest driving error or a car that’s difficult to handle can have serious consequences. We paid the price today as one of our cars didn’t get through Q1 and the other failed to make it into Q3."

"It’s possible, but the choice was made after a long period of reflection and it’s the one that suits us best. We’re not threatened in the championship so we slowed down 2007 development. BMW seems to have adopted the same approach. And, of course, in F1 when you don’t progress you fall back! But not being able to get through Q1 is a new experience for us and it shows that we lack pace. Other teams like Red Bull keep improving their car and it shows."

"We’re starting from far back on the grid but I think there are still a few surprises in store. Some teams seem to have problems using the very soft compound on the new Interlagos surface when the track is warm. That’ll have an impact on the various strategies. "