Alonso remains realistic about Renault’s performance in Australia
Fernando Alonso remains realistic about Renault’s chances for the world championship, despite a good fourth place in the Australian Grand Prix last Sunday. The Spaniard took advantage of the chaotic race last Sunday to finish fourth (only 7 drivers were in the running at the end of the Grand Prix) after starting from 11th place […]
Fernando Alonso remains realistic about Renault’s chances for the world championship, despite a good fourth place in the Australian Grand Prix last Sunday. The Spaniard took advantage of the chaotic race last Sunday to finish fourth (only 7 drivers were in the running at the end of the Grand Prix) after starting from 11th place on the grid.
The double World Champion admitted that he was happy with his performance for the opening Grand Prix, but emphasized that Renault will need to improve quickly to regularly score big points.
Fernando stated to the Spanish newspaper AS:
« I am very happy with this result. All the simulations had us in eighth or ninth, and this fourth place was completely unthinkable. It was much better than expected, but we must not forget that without all those retirements we certainly would not have finished in the points. » he said.
« We are very happy to finish fourth but if we continue like this, we will be disappointed. If in Malaysia the two Ferraris, the BMWs, etc., finish the race, then we won’t finish in the points. That’s why we have to try to improve and regularly make it into Q3 during qualifying. »
« Then we need to be better during the race. It’s true that I was often caught in traffic and had bad luck with the safety car, but under different circumstances, we wouldn’t have done so well, and we absolutely need to improve that. » he continued.
Heikki Kovalainen had overtaken the Spaniard on the penultimate lap, in a move celebrated by Ron Dennis, the McLaren boss, who expressed his joy with a gesture.
Kovalainen, however, made a small gearbox error on the pit straight, allowing Alonso to get back ahead of the Finn.
Alonso, who had a bitter taste from his relationship with Ron Dennis last year, admitted that lapping Kovalainen had been particularly satisfying.
« I saw on the screens what Dennis did when Heikki overtook me, when I overtook him again I did the same thing. »
« I had the chance to pass a McLaren and I didn’t hesitate to do it. »
