09/05/2005
NEWS STORY
Renault's Giancarlo fisichella finished a frustrated fifth in Barcelona – but he is already upbeat about the next race, in Monte-Carlo.
How do you feel after yesterday’s fifth-place finish at the Circuit de Catalunya?
Giancarlo Fisichella: To be honest, it is a bit of a shame to be just fifth because I think second was there for the taking. I had a good strategy, running long in the first stint in order to jump ahead of the Toyotas, the set-up was perfect and I drove really well. We had a problem with the car in the middle of the race when I was running second, and that definitely cost me a podium finish. But I attacked all the way to the end – and managed to set fastest lap. I think that showed what I could have done today.
We also saw you pass Mark Webber’s Williams out on track – how did that feel?
GF: It was a good manoeuvre from my point of view, and brought me an extra point as well, so I was really pleased with it. I could see that I was much faster than him over the whole lap, so it was a question of finding the right time to get a run through turn 13 and to be in the tow on the straight. I was a few kph quicker as well, so I just did a clean move and got him into Turn 1. I had been down in eleventh after my stop, so it was good to get back to fifth.
The next race is Monaco, where it will be important to run late in the qualifying session, and you are well placed now…
GF: Yes, I knew that would be important this weekend. In Monaco, the track picks up so much grip that you need to be in the last five in Saturday qualifying, I think. Yesterday’s finish means I have achieved that, so I am in a good position at the moment. Monaco is one of my favourite circuits, and I have always been quick there. The car is fantastic, and Renault were very fast in Monte-Carlo last year. Let’s say I am very optimistic for that race. We can do well there.