Assessment: Renault Drinks the Cup in Malaysia

Renault experienced a disappointing afternoon as neither Fernando Alonso nor Nelson Piquet managed to finish the Malaysian Grand Prix in the points. A heavy downpour hit midway through the race, and after deploying the safety car, the race officials decided to stop the event with a red flag on the 32nd lap.

However, the Spaniard had made a spectacular start despite his car being heavily loaded with fuel.

Fernando Alonso – 11th:

« I had an excellent start, moving from 9th place on the grid to third in the first corner. Then, I had to defend my position because I was too slow. This part of the race was interesting. It was difficult to know what type of tires to choose at the time of our stop because we couldn’t predict the intensity of the upcoming rain. I’m disappointed with the final result, but we remain optimistic for the next race and our goal is still to fight for the championship. »

Nelson Piquet – 13th:

« Initially, the car’s balance was good, but we had little grip. When the rain came, we tried to make the right decision at the right time, and there was nothing else to do in these conditions. Just before the red flag, it was almost impossible to stay on the track and control the car. We learned a lot this weekend, once again, and I’m already focusing on the next race. »

Pat Symonds – Executive Director of Engineering

« I suppose that the violent downpour did not surprise those who know Malaysia, but it brought interesting elements to the race. Unfortunately, we could not take advantage of it. At the start of the Grand Prix, we demonstrated the advantage provided by the KERS system. However, as in Australia last week, we need to find performance in other areas. »

Remi Taffin – Track Coordinator Renault F1 Team:

We are disappointed. The race was challenging for everyone, and its course was quite unpredictable: we knew it was going to rain, but not when or how heavily. We have made progress since Melbourne, and our start was excellent, but we still have work to do.

According to a statement from the Renault F1 Team