Australian GP – A podium for Alonso?

It is true that Fernando Alonso has every reason to be confident at the start of the 2009 season. He finished the previous season in a flourish, being the driver who scored the most points in the last five races.

His off-season tests went relatively well, mainly being in the top 5 during the Barcelona tests where all the teams were together. He will have in Melbourne, just like his teammate Nelson Piquet, the KERS installed on his R29.

Fernando, after the good results at the end of the 2008 season, do you think you can continue in this vein in 2009?

« It is certainly our intention! The end of the 2008 season was indeed very positive and our goal this year is to be in a position to fight for the championship. However, with all the regulatory changes coming into effect this year, no one really knows how Melbourne will unfold. And from what I have observed during the test sessions, the teams were relatively close to each other. We will certainly have to fight in Melbourne. »

Despite a limited testing program due to new regulations, are you satisfied with the R29?

The first testing session in Portimao, Portugal was difficult and we were unlucky with the bad weather. But we quickly improved the car with the introduction of new parts during the following tests. We worked on the setup and learned a lot about the car. Now, it runs well. What is important now is to continue improving the single-seater and work on developments throughout the season.

What do you think of the introduction of the new regulations?

« The KERS and the adjustable front wing flap will give the driver more work in the cockpit. I have worked hard to adapt to these new systems during testing sessions so that I can maximize them in Melbourne. I am very satisfied with our KERS system and hope it will give us an advantage at the start of the season. I am not sure it will facilitate overtaking, though, it will help us improve our lap times. »

What do you hope for from Melbourne?

« The Albert Park circuit has treated us well in the past, and I hope we will have a positive weekend. I also think that the order we were used to, that is to say, a Ferrari – McLaren domination, might change. With the introduction of the new rules, I believe that several teams will be able to fight for the podium, and I certainly hope we will be one of them. »

According to a statement from the Renault F1 Team