28/06/2004
NEWS STORY
Jarno, how would you assess the team's situation at the halfway stage of the season?
Jarno Trulli: I believe we are doing very well, but we cannot forget that BAR are performing better than us in some areas, and at some circuits. We need to concentrate on getting the best from our car at the next races and work very hard to improve our performance at the same time, if we want to keep this position at the end of the season. I know this team very well know, and I am confident that we can. On a personal level, my aim is to finish third in the drivers' championship.
You are always a fan of 'technical' circuits, which challenge the drivers and engineers with set-up. Does Magny-Cours meet those criteria?
JT: Yes, definitely - it is exactly what I would call a technical circuit. You have all types of corners around the lap, and the car needs to respond well everywhere. In order to be quick, though, you need responsive handling and a good change of direction - especially through the fast sections at turns 2 and 3, turns 6 and 7 and 11 and 12. This can mean the car is not ideal in the slow hairpins, but we have to drive round that because the high-speed areas are critical for lap time, and also to make sure you do not get overtaken in the race.
You have always had lots of support in France - are you looking forward to racing there?
JT: This is a significant weekend for me - it is like a second home race. I have always enjoyed wonderful support in France, and I would like to repay my supporters with a strong performance. Plus, of course, the race is very important to Renault, as their national grand prix. I will just be aiming to drive as well as possible, and get the most out of the car and myself in qualifying and the race. It would be a fantastic boost for me and the team to win this race.
Fernando, as we reach the halfway point of the season, how does your current position compare with your expectations at the start of the year?
Fernando Alonso: Overall, it is better than I had expected - but more in terms of our position in the Constructor's Championship than my own place in the drivers' standings. It is a bit of a surprise for us to be second - McLaren and Williams have dropped down, but the performance of BAR has been a surprise. However, they are behind us now, although I think we can expect a very close battle through the summer. Personally, for me, I do not think it is too bad to be fifth: I have not finished three races, and started from the back in two of them. So I am reasonably pleased, but I expect to be much stronger in the second half of the year.
What are the priorities for the driver at Magny-Cours?
FA: Magny-Cours is a strange circuit, because you need to get different things out of the car on different parts of the track. There are very quick corners, where you want a stiff car for good downforce at those speeds, but also the very tight hairpins at turn 5 and before the final chicane, which need good traction and confidence under braking. You need to find a compromise, and that can be difficult. The other important factor here is the tyres - the temperatures can change a lot on the track, and it is very important that you do not get caught out by that with tyre choice.
This is your second 'home' race of the year, and the 25th anniversary of Renault's first ever F1 win. What does that mean to a driver?
FA: Like always when you have lots of supporters, lots of fans cheering for you, it brings motivation; we are the only French team, and it is special to be racing in Renault's home country. The fans are happy to see us racing, to see us out on the track, and that brings us a great welcome. We just hope we can reward them with a strong result!