By role
September 30 2003

Renault driver Fernando Alonso was unhappy with some of the decissions taken by his team on this weekend's US Grand Prix. The Spaniard is fighting hard to overtake Ralf Schumacher and Rubes Barrichello for fourth place on the Drivers Chapmionship and knows he need as many advantages as he can take. Alonso is tied with Barrichello with 55 points and is only 3 points away from Ralf Schumacher.

The Spaniard has set his goal to overtake both and finish the season in a full of merit fourth position.

At the Italian Grand Prix in Monza three weeks ago, the team had one engine who had an edge on engine power. A draw was made and Trulli won it and he enjoyed the engine with the extra horse power, though just for a few turns of the first lap before some mechanical gremlins forced him to retire.

Then, on the US Grand Prix the team had the same circumstances. One of the engines had a significant edge on horse power. There was no draw this time and the engine was given to Trulli who had set the best times during Friday.

Alonso was not happy with this decission and he told so to the Spanish news agency EFE, when he finished the qualifying on Saturday:

"I have done a good lap, without any mistake, and the 6th position in the grid is even better than I was expecting, specially taking under consideration that I was not carrying the good engine. Trulli is using it, since we only have one available." Said the Spaniard.

"I don't understand this and I can say I am a bit dissapointed with the team. In Monza there was also one evolutioned engine and it was given to him. Here the same thing happens. I do not care who gets it but I thought that if there was only one we would alternate in each race." Said Alonso. "Anyhow, I prefer not to think anymore about this matter."

Alonso has had some minor clashes with his team during this season, his first as a racing driver. The main controversy has been about strategy with the lower point coming on canada where Alonso could only be fourth after setting the fastest lap.

Also Alonso was not happy when the team did not allow him to pass his teammate on the recent German GP.