Australian GP – Piquet holds high hopes

Like Sébastien Bourdais, Nelson Piquet also had little luck during the 2008 season. He accumulated retirements while delivering some good performances, such as at the German Grand Prix with a second place in the race.

This winter, the Brazilian didn’t truly shine during the tests, being a notch below his teammate, Fernando Alonso. Adapting to the slick tires and the KERS was slightly more challenging.

Nelson, you are starting your second season in Formula 1; are you excited?

« Yes, absolutely. I have a lot more confidence in myself and I’m eager to be in Melbourne. I learned a lot in 2008 and I now intend to put all that experience to good use. We have entered a new era of Formula 1 and we have made good progress during the testing sessions. So we have high hopes for Melbourne. »

How has the adaptation to the new regulations introduced this year been?

« The cars are entirely different this year and all the drivers had to adapt. It was necessary to learn everything about the KERS system and the adjustable flap. It was a real challenge for the engineers and the drivers. We also had to adapt to the return of slick tires, and I like that a lot because they make things more interesting. »

What can you tell us about Albert Park?

« It’s a circuit that presents interesting challenges. Setting up the car is a challenge because we are on a track that alternates between permanent and temporary layouts, with slow corners and other faster sections. I love Melbourne, it’s a fantastic city. The fans come in great numbers and the atmosphere is amazing. »

What goal have you set for yourself for Melbourne?

« Because it is difficult to know where we stand compared to the other teams, it is not easy to set a specific goal. However, we know that we have a good car, so I think we will be competitive in Melbourne. I will do my best to reach Q3 in the qualifying session and I hope to score some points. »

According to a statement from the Renault F1 Team