Fernando eyes strong result at Magny-Cours!

By role
June 29 2004

Renault F1 driver Fernando Alonso is expectant of the Formula 1 next stop at the circuit of Magny-Cours in France. He is fully aware of the importance of the Grand Prix for Renault and is willing to give his best to finish with a strong result for all the fans that plan to attend the Grand Prix.

Half of the season has gone by and Alonso is currently fifth on the Contrsuctor’s Championship despite the adverse circumstances he has had to face during the first half. How does he rates the first half of the season?
“Overall, it is better than I had expected - but more in terms of our position in the Constructor's Championship than my own place in the drivers' standings. It is a bit of a surprise for us to be second - McLaren and Williams have dropped down, but the performance of BAR has been a surprise. However, they are behind us now, although I think we can expect a very close battle through the summer. Personally, for me, I do not think it is too bad to be fifth: I have not finished three races, and started from the back in two of them. So I am reasonably pleased, but I expect to be much stronger in the second half of the year.” He said.
He is now fully centered on his next Grand Prix and on extracting the maximum out of his R24 in this technical track:

”Magny-Cours is a strange circuit, because you need to get different things out of the car on different parts of the track. There are very quick corners, where you want a stiff car for good downforce at those speeds, but also the very tight hairpins at turn 5 and before the final chicane, which need good traction and confidence under braking. You need to find a compromise, and that can be difficult. The other important factor here is the tyres - the temperatures can change a lot on the track, and it is very important that you do not get caught out by that with tyre choice.” He added.
Magny-Cour will be packed with Renault fans who will await a strong showing from the team:

”Like always when you have lots of supporters, lots of fans cheering for you, it brings motivation; we are the only French team, and it is special to be racing in Renault's home country. The fans are happy to see us racing, to see us out on the track, and that brings us a great welcome. We just hope we can reward them with a strong result!” He concluded.