Alonso: Gascoyne departure an important loss!

By role
October 15 2003

Renault F1 driver, Fernando Alonso, has done a lengthy interview on the Spanish Sport daily “As”. In this interview the Spaniard talks about the season and also about the future of the team.

Alonso is thrilled of the season he has had. The results have been beyond expectations and he is looking forward to a 2004 season in which he hopes he can challenge for more wins.
However, the start was a difficult one and he aggress that he could not have imagined such a great season when they were testing the car on January:
“I wouldn’t have thought of such a great season at the start. It is not possible to forecast anything. I faced the year with the desire to be in the points but the preseason went really bad. We had constant engine problems and we could make very few laps each day. We showed up at Australia with less than 800 bhp. A problem that has continued during the season. “ He said. “It wasn’t until Malaysia and Brazil when I started to think that we could do something big!”
“Malaysia was the first big stop between races. It was boring between races, Trulli was not around, only the mechanics and Christian, the person in charge of service in the team. The car was not up to the McLarens or the Ferraris in Malaysia.” He added.
Alonso had some arguments with Villeneuve and Coulthard during the season for the incidents at the Brazilian and at the Euroopean Grand Prix:
“The relationship with them is not bad at all. Those things are normal on races. I Think what happened is that both drivers were having very discreet seasons and that made them nervous.” Said Alonso.
“The best moment of the year was, without doubt, the victory at Hungary. It was a logical consequence of perfect weekend. Barcelona was also very nice, but the biggest surprise was the pole at Malaysia. It was great…that day I entered the track thinking of setting the 8th or 10th best time and then I set the pole.”
“The worst moment of the year has been the end at Suzuka. Victory was really close. The worst thing it can happen to a driver is not to finish a race. I have had 5 DNF in 16 races, that’s is something we have to improve.” He added.
Mike Gascoyne is leaving for Toyota. Alonso values the loss:
“Is an important loss, but not a definitive one. There are many superb engineers in the market and I hope that his departure won’t affect Renault.”
“I am sure that the Championship can be won with this team. The base is very good. However, we have to improve some details. Anyhow, is normal that we have to improve, they only have two complete seasons together and when they came back with Benetton in 2001 I was fighting them with a Minardi.” He added. “My relationship with Briatore is quite good (despite Alonso’s complaints about some team decisions). Back then I said what I had to say and that’s it.”
Can Alonso lead a big team to a Championship? Perform with the pressure of having to win?
“Yes, no doubt about it. I have drove in more races in my life that many of the drivers in the grid. Pressure will not affect me.” Added Alonso. “I am not the one to say if I am the best of the grid. I can talk of my season. I have been the youngest to win a GP, to set a pole, another 3 podiums, another pole. I have not left a race because of a driving error. I do not think there are many drivers that can say the same. It was been a season not to forget.”
“Of course I would love to fight for the Championship, but people must understand that it will be a hard year for us. We start from scratch on the engine. It can be good or we can spend all year finishing 7th or 8th.
Alonso knows what he wants to do once he is out of Formula 1:
“I will be resting with my family. When I finish racing I want to be out of this world. I hope to have won as many Championships as possible, is my dream, that’s what I work for, I am here to win.” He concludes.