Malaysian GP – Piquet: « Progress in every race »

Nelson Piquet, on track with an R28 for only a few weeks, hasn’t had a sublime start to the season due to a lack of experience. After a difficult qualifying session in Melbourne, which resulted from laborious free practice sessions, the Brazilian wants to give himself a second chance.

He admits it himself, he is participating in his first Grand Prix races and his goal in 2008 is to acquire as much knowledge as possible. The Sepang track, which he knows better than Albert Park, will be an advantage to be more competitive than just a week ago.

Nelson, your F1 debut was probably not what you had hoped for. What is your assessment of this first race?

« Yes, I admit that I had envisioned things differently for my first Grand Prix, but I knew it wouldn’t be easy, I was prepared for that. I did few laps during Friday’s practice, which then complicated things for me throughout the weekend. However, I learned a lot, I now know how a Grand Prix weekend goes; it passes at a crazy speed, and you have to be able to get into the rhythm right away. I think there’s no point in dwelling on it now, I prefer to focus on the next race in Malaysia and put into practice what I learned last week in Melbourne. »

The second event takes place in Sepang, Malaysia, a circuit you are familiar with…

« Yes, I drove at Sepang in 2005 in the A1GP and with the team last year during a testing day; so I already know this circuit. I have faced the extreme temperatures that prevail in the region. I think it will be easier for me this weekend. Indeed, I will be able to find my bearings more quickly and focus on setting up my car with my engineers. I hope to be able to drive as much as possible and thus avoid experiencing a Grand Prix like the one in Melbourne. »

After Australia, what are your expectations for this new event?

I definitely want to improve. In Melbourne, I had little track time in practice, had a disappointing qualifying session, and didn’t see the finish because my car was damaged at the start and I had to retire; so it shouldn’t be difficult to improve… even a little. I hope in Malaysia to be able to have a good qualifying session so I can then defend my chances in the race and especially finish to continue my learning. Each race will be an opportunity for me to move forward and progress.

Do you think the demands of the Sepang circuit will suit the R28?

« We will work for it in any case! It’s a demanding circuit for the single-seaters and interesting for the drivers. There are two long straights, a few heavy braking zones to enter slower and more demanding driving sectors. With my engineers, we will try to have a well-balanced car from the first tests to then consider different setup solutions and try to improve throughout the sessions. »

According to the Renault F1 Team