25/09/2006
NEWS STORY
Fernando, there has been a lot of talk about pressure in recent weeks. How are you feeling ahead of the final races of the season?
Fernando Alonso: I have the opinion that stress is not useful. We have to do our job, and I must do 100% with the team. If we do that job well and we deserve the title, then we will win. The important thing in the next races is to give the maximum to the team.
You last won a race three months ago in Canada. Is that a worry?
FA: We always knew that it would be very tight at the end of the championship, and I was prepared for this. At Renault we were ready for the opening races, and totally competitive: maybe we started at 95% of our maximum, while the others were at 70%. Now, everybody is at 98% or 99% and the performance is very, very close. We know we have the performance to win races, and we need to make it happen.
What is the motivation like in the team?
FA: Well, we have been leading all year, and we want to finish in the same position! Honestly, I think the motivation is greater than ever. These are the last three races for me with this fantastic Renault team, and also the last races for Michelin in this era of Formula 1. So our motivation to win is enormous, and I think we can do it.
How do you view the Shanghai circuit?
FA: It's one of the circuits that I enjoy. I have fantastic memories from last year, when we won the constructors' championship there. It has been designed to give overtaking opportunities, especially at the end of the long back straight, and that helps make the races spectacular. I think we can expect an exciting race.
And what outcome to you expect?
FA: We have been saying all year that you cannot predict what will happen on track, with the competition being so close. Instead, we are focused on our objectives, and that means qualifying at the front and winning the race. That will be the target.
Giancarlo, you had a strong drive to fourth place from ninth on the grid in Monza. How optimistic are you about the performance of the R26 at the moment?
Giancarlo Fisichella: The car's competitiveness was very good in Monza and the one-stop strategy worked well for us. Michelin have done a fantastic job as well, and they have found some very good developments for the tyres. I think the overall situation is looking very positive at the moment.
Renault now lies second in the constructors' championship, just behind Ferrari. Does that change your strategy?
GF: I don't think so. This has been a very tough championship all the way through the year, and it will go down to Brazil. Ferrari is a strong competitor, but we have clear targets for these races. I am trying to get third in the drivers' championship, Fernando wants to win, and for both those things, we have to beat the Ferraris. If we can do that, then the Constructors' Championship will be ours. We will be pushing all the way to the end of the season, just as we planned.
Is China a circuit you enjoy?
GF: The Chinese Grand Prix is a fantastic race. The circuit is amazing, one of the best in the world with a challenging layout and incredible facilities. The people are friendly as well, very enthusiastic about Formula 1, and we always get a big crowd on Sunday for the race. This is a really good Grand Prix.
Finally, how do you expect the R26 to perform?
GF: I think this will be a good circuit for the R26. You have to work hard to find a good balance, because the car has to be good under heavy braking but also stable for the quick corners, so you have to tune the aero and mechanical balance carefully. We were very quick there last year, with Fernando winning and I was 4th even with a drive-through penalty. I believe we can be very competitive in Shanghai.