Allan McNish

Allan, what are the key factors for set-up in Hungary?
Although the circuit has been revised for this year, I think the main characteristics will remain the same: maximum downforce, with a premium on low-speed grip and traction, as well as some critical medium-speed corners on the back of the circuit. For a good lap, the driver will be looking for low-speed grip and balance, as well as a good change of direction.

Will the dirty track hinder your work on Friday morning?
To be honest, the track remains dusty all weekend, but we will certainly be out there when it is at its worst. The circuit will be improving all the way through the weekend, which complicates tyre selection as you are never dealing with the same grip levels when making comparisons. The main thing will be to get in some clean sequences of clear laps and consistent times, with no mistakes from the drivers, in order to get a good picture of where we stand. Come Saturday, though, I think experience from previous years may prove critical in making the final tyre choice.

How competitive do you expect the Renault package to be?
The battle at the front of the field is definitely closer, and more intense, than at the start of the year: with that in mind, I think we have performed impressively as a team to remain among the top teams during the last few races. The Hungaroring is a different type of circuit where, on paper, we should be even stronger: the medium-speed section at the back of the circuit will really allow us to exploit the potential of the car. There is no reason to think we won?t be very competitive.