French GP – Does Piquet still have reasons to believe?
As Renault presents itself for its national Grand Prix, Nelson Piquet is trying to tell himself that he will make it to the end of the race. He refuses to subject the French public to yet another withdrawal and hopes to see his team shine on the Nevers circuit.
The Brazilian has reasons to hope since he participated in the recent tests in Barcelona. He finished at the top of the timesheets on the third and final day. Moreover, he knows the track well, having already raced on it in the GP2 category.
Nelson, the team’s race in Canada was promising, but once again, they were unlucky…
We could have scored points there, it’s true, but we encountered some problems and couldn’t finish the race. That said, there are some positives to take away from this Grand Prix: I gained experience and learned a new track. Moreover, my race was going well until my retirement. We showed that the car had the potential to be competitive. So, we are focusing on that aspect and will continue to push at the next event.
How did your preparations for Magny-Cours go and what are you expecting for the weekend?
« My approach to racing has not changed since the start of the season. I remain determined and am heading to Magny-Cours with the clear intention to do my best for the team. The car should perform well because it’s a circuit that favors aerodynamic efficiency. The R28 was competitive in Barcelona and Istanbul, which have the same characteristics. The surface is very smooth, but you need to be able to climb the curbs. Therefore, we will need to work during free practice to find a good setup with my engineers and be competitive in qualifying. »
It will be a unique race for the team. Does this mean additional pressure?
« We would like to achieve a good result, of course, but I don’t think there is any more pressure. Indeed, I always give my best and push to the limit permanently. After two city races, Monaco and Montreal, returning to a more traditional circuit will be nice. Moreover, it’s a place where I’ve been competitive in GP2 Series. »
What are your hopes for the French Grand Prix?
« This is an important race for the team, and I would love to score my first points there. That will be my goal. We had very productive testing in Barcelona last week and brought a few new updates to the car. They should help. I’m sure we can count on the support of all the spectators, and I will try to take advantage of that. I especially need to qualify well because it’s difficult to overtake at Magny-Cours. If I manage that, we can aim for a strong race. »
According to a Renault F1 statement
