GP France – Alonso enters the French arena

After the disappointment of the Canadian Grand Prix where a very strong performance was within reach, Renault and its leader Fernando Alonso cannot afford any mistakes for the home race. Additionally, they must make up for the lost ground in both the constructors’ championship and the drivers’ championship for the Spaniard.

The Barcelona tests last week, in which Alonso did not participate, allowed for the testing of new aerodynamic and mechanical parts. An overall increase in competitiveness is therefore expected on Sunday under the Burgundian sun, which is highly anticipated…

Fernando, a superb qualification in Montreal where you could aim for the podium. Undoubtedly all the more frustrating not to have seen the finish of this Grand Prix?

It’s clear we missed a great opportunity to score big points in Montreal, but we must stay positive and keep moving forward. Our performance level was once again improving this weekend, and now we must continue our effort because we can see that it’s really worth it.

You are now preparing to compete in the Renault National Grand Prix. Is it somewhat special for you to race here at Magny-Cours?

« Yes, definitely. There are always many Renault employees in the stands, and they proudly wear the team’s colors. It’s a great source of motivation! Moreover, it’s the French Grand Prix, and the team is French, so I definitely want to have a great race here and I’ll do my best! »

In terms of development, what are the main requirements of this circuit?

« It’s a circuit that can prove to be selective because the car must perform well in all sections of the track to achieve a good lap time. There are some fast corners and sudden changes of direction, significant braking, and sectors that require good acceleration. The temperature is generally quite high, so we’ll need to find a setup that will allow the tires to be used optimally and to optimize the car’s overall balance. I have no particular concerns; we will work on these different points from the first laps. »

The team continued its development program in Barcelona last week. What are your expectations for this eighth event?

« Yes, we shot for three days in Barcelona last week. It was about validating some of the latest developments, notably aerodynamic and mechanical, planned for the French Grand Prix and the upcoming races. It went well, the team recorded a lot of data, and I hope we will see new progress this weekend. It’s important for the team’s morale, and we still have a lot to do to get closer to the best. I am confident, and I know that in any case, I will do my best to get the most out of my car and make my mark in the race! »

According to a Renault F1 press release