Australian GP – Alonso hopes to stand out

Fernando Alonso, the comeback! Certainly, the Spaniard has now joined Renault for several weeks, but for many, the real return will happen when we see him perform in a race.

A year ago to the day, he was about to make his first Grand Prix for the McLaren team with the status of a double world champion, but after many upheavals, he is, in 2008, back with the team that enabled him to achieve his titles.

The situation is not the same as in 2006, the winter tests were not very convincing, but the Iberian, more motivated than ever, hopes to shine this season…

Fernando, you joined the team in January to prepare for the 2008 season. How did your first training sessions with the team go?

« They were very busy! Everything went well from the point of view of my integration, of course, it was a bit like coming home. I already knew everyone, I was familiar with the team’s working methods, and I was able to be operational right away, which was a good thing to immediately tackle our testing and development program. On the technical side, as with any new car, we started working on the reliability of our package before approaching performance at the end of February, particularly with the arrival of the latest parts. I did nearly fifteen days of testing between January and February to arrive in Australia as ready as possible. »

Do you think the team has managed to make up for its 2007 setback and is now ready to compete at the forefront starting from the season opener?

The team was very behind in 2007 and it seems impossible to have closed that gap this winter. The other teams have also progressed and it will likely take us a little more time to get back to the top level. I am convinced that we have the potential to get there. The team has shown in the past that it knows how to produce winning cars, we just need to keep up our efforts and not give up.

After winter testing, which teams do you think will be strong for the championship opener?

« Difficult to say with certainty before the first runs in Melbourne. We all worked on different programs during the winter tests, so any prediction is very risky. I think Ferrari will probably be the team to beat in the early stages. They were already very strong in 2007 and seem to have been very efficient and conscientious this winter. The first race will be the acid test and also the first real opportunity to gauge teams relative to each other; so we’ll have a clearer idea of our competitive position after the Australian Grand Prix. »

Are you expecting to race in a difficult Grand Prix on the Albert Park circuit?

« The first race will undoubtedly not be easy, but I can’t wait to be there and tackle this championship. Many challenges await us with ING Renault F1 Team, but we have worked very hard in recent months, and now it’s time for the competition to truly begin. I know that winning in Australia will be difficult, a podium might be as well, but you never know how the race will unfold. It could rain, the race may take place on a drying track, you always have a chance to make your mark, and if the opportunity arises, I am determined to seize it! »

According to the Renault F1 Team