Fernando, a beautiful summers day, a packed crowd here at the French Grand Prix, a perfect race from start to finish from pole position…
Fernando Alonso: Yeah, it was really really good. The car performed extremely well again in the race. We were very competitive from the first lap. I saw in the mirrors Jarno going back a little bit so I pushed a little bit more until the first stint and then the gap was quite nice and we controlled the race a little bit more. I think Barcelona and here at Magny-Cours, to see all the supporters, all the blue grandstands I think is an extra motivation and we did two good races, Barcelona and here, but obviously better to win.

Well, you crossed the line at a fairly slow pace, I guess to acknowledge your team and then to savour that slow-down lap. Can you describe your thoughts and emotions on that slow-down lap?
FA: Yeah, well after the last pit stop, things were already quite certain. No problems at all with the car and with Kimi, because he had stopped as well. But the last ten laps happened really really slowly, and from three or four laps to the end I was expecting this moment, waiting to cross the line and enjoying victory with the team and with the grandstands in front of the pits where most of the people coming from the Renault factory were. I really crossed the line slowly just to enjoy (the moment) with them.

Is perfect the right way to describe your day?
FA: The whole weekend! We don't know why but we were extremely competitive this weekend. Obviously we introduced some new pieces on the car during the last test in Jerez but apart from that, I think the Renault package with Michelin was unbeatable here this weekend, so we are really really happy.

Kimi, obviously starting 13th after the engine problem on Friday but a great drive on a two-stop strategy. During the first phase of the race, you were right in touch with what was effectively the second place group with that heavy fuel load.
Kimi Raikkonen: Yeah. It's a bit disappointing really, what happened on Friday. It really destroyed our weekend completely, in that we wanted to win here. OK, second place is quite good for us. We only dropped two points so it didn't cost too much, but of course I want to win races and we have definitely got the speed here also. I think we stopped quite a bit later than most of the front runners, so let's say that in circumstances we did a good job but it's still disappointing to only finish second.

Prior to your second stop, prior to Fernando's third stop you were twelve seconds behind him. Was there any thought that maybe things could get closer? What were your in and out laps like from your second pit stop?
KR: They were OK but there was quite a lot of traffic also and some people were racing against each other for points positions so it's not so easy to get past them. If there is one slower car they always let you past easier but when there are two guys fighting for position it takes time and it's going to cost you. We were a bit too far away but from where we started I think it was a good result for us and at least we have a good qualifying position for the next race and we're going to try to win the British Grand Prix.

Michael, very strong third place, but I would guess you were held up by Jarno in the early stages but a short pit stop got you in front of him there.
Michael Schumacher: Yeah. Basically spent 18 laps behind him and losing quite a bit of time which then got me in trouble with Juan who passed me after his pit stop. Then I got stuck again behind Juan who was quick but not as quick as what we could have done at that stage, so to finish third is OK.

Was third place perhaps as good as you were going to get this weekend?
MS: Yup, but if you see, we came in on the same lap so in terms of competition in qualifying, it was what it was, it was very close. The only exception was Kimi being up front there with quite a bit heavier a car. Then they just chose from this moment on to go to a two stop whereas we chose a three stop which obviously moved us ahead.

But do you think third place was about right for you this weekend or do you think that with an easier first phase of the race maybe you could have been second?
MS: Well, if you look at the speed we have had, then clearly I have to say that third place was about the maximum. If our strategy would have worked perfectly we could have been in front of Kimi due to the situation he was in in his race but our race didn't go perfectly, so that was the way it was.

Mechanically the car looked good. We saw a bit of smoke coming from a front tyre at one point, not sure if that was a lock-up or not?
MS: Yeah, yeah, had a few lock-ups and had a nice moment in turn three as well, going a bit wide but otherwise it was OK.

Fernando, the British Grand Prix in a week, not a lot of time to celebrate but nonetheless a landmark race for the team and indeed for your season perhaps.
FA: Yeah, this was always good to win and especially more for the team and for our president who came for this race, especially to see Formula One so it's good news for all the team, and it's true that next week we are in Silverstone again so July will be quite tough and we start the month in a good position.

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