Interview: Alonso Returns to the Track and Shares His Impressions

Fernando Alonso drives with Renault in Jerez. For his return to the French team, the Spaniard answers a few questions. He talks about his expectations for 2008, his relationship with Nelson Piquet Jr, and his discovery of the R27, without traction control.

2007 was a particularly controversial year for Formula 1, in many areas and for you as well. What will be your approach in 2008?

« It will be the one I have always had. At the beginning of each season, what I want most is to work hard, give my all to reach my full potential as quickly as possible. I know I can achieve this with ING Renault F1 Team because it’s what I have always managed to do in the past. I will try to give everything I can, and I know the team will do the same to try to win again; that has always been our approach. »

Today, you are wearing the overalls emblazoned with the Diamond for the first time since your last title in 2006. What was your feeling when you rejoined the ING Renault F1 Team?

« There are plenty of good memories between us and we are full of optimism. These are new colors for me, I have a new helmet this season… the only thing we are missing now is the new car! »

What are your expectations for this first drive at the wheel of the R27?

« I don’t have concrete objectives for this first trial. On a personal level, it’s an opportunity for me to drive without traction control and electronic assistance, so I see these two days of riding as a test session to help me get accustomed to the new regulatory context. »

Do you consider 2008 as the beginning of a new adventure with Renault or is it a new chapter in an already well-established story?

« It’s a bit of both. The team is completely different from the one I left in 2006. There have been major changes, they’ve improved many things and strengthened in many areas, so in a sense, it’s a new adventure starting for me with a new team. But at the same time, it’s impossible for me to forget the six years I spent with the team, and the memories from that time are incredibly strong for me. »

A lot has been written about your relationship with your teammate in 2007. What are your first impressions of working with Nelsinho and how do you envision your relationship this year?

« I have already said that last year far too many false and unfounded things were written, but I know that this is what sells a newspaper or magazine. I have not yet really had the opportunity to get to know Nelsinho, but he seems to be a nice person who wants to make the most of his experience in Formula 1; he is no different from Marques, Button, Trulli, Fisi, Montagny, or McNish with whom I have worked, with whom everything has always gone well, and with whom I am still friends. In 2008, I do not expect to have problems with anyone, and Flavio has already shown that he knows very well how to manage this kind of situation. »

What have you seen so far of the R28 and what are your expectations for the new car?

« I have seen data that hopefully reflects the level of performance of the R28 but nothing more for the moment. When you launch a new car, your expectations are always high, and you always have a lot of hopes and put in a lot of effort over the course of a season. As always, we will have to wait for the first runs of the car to get an idea. »

How was your first day?

I was a bit tense because it had been a while since I had driven, but I was eager to start working with the team. As my runs progressed, I gradually started getting comfortable with the car, especially considering that it’s my first time driving without traction control, and I improved with each lap. So, it was a very positive first day of work.

What are your first impressions regarding flying without assistance? What are the main changes for the pilot?

« The car itself is not radically different. It’s mostly about us drivers finding our bearings and adjusting our driving style. That’s what I will try to do at the start of the season and I’m convinced that after two or three races, we will have completely forgotten what it was like to drive with assistance. In terms of car setup, we will likely work in the same way; I believe it will mostly be up to the driver to adapt. »

According to ING Renault F1 Team