By role
March 20 2004

It was a difficult qualifying for Renault today after Trulli finished 8th and Alonso failed to set a time after he spun. Everything was set for Renault as both drivers had set the best times at the first qualifying. However, when the crucial time came, both drivers made costly mistakes. The strategy of Renault was to compete really light on the first qualifying in order to finish 1-2 and later on take advantage of the surge of temperatures during the second qualifying.

The startegy was going as planned as both Renault drivers set the best laps during the first session.

"...We made a good improvement with the balance of the cars this morning, and looked competitive during those sessions. Our strategy was to run relatively light in first qualifying to take advantage of the change in circuit temperatures we had noted on previous days: the current format of qualifying extends beyond four o'clock, and we had noticed the circuit getting cooler at this time. With both cars fastest after the first session, the plan seemed to be on track." Said Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering.

However, on the second session neither Trulli nor Alonso were able to take advantage of the warmer temperatures.

Trulli made some small mistakes in three of the turns that ended up costing him almost one second.

"I am disappointed with my result. We had expected to do better, but I made a number of mistakes on my lap and that cost me several tenths. Nevertheless, I'm optimistic for the race: the car will be quick on the long runs, and I think we can get back tomorrow, what we lost today." Said Trulli after the session.

Pat Symonds confirms this:

"Jarno was the penultimate runner, and most of his lap was extremely competitive: after analysis this evening, it became clear he would have been quick enough for a slot on the first two rows. However, three mistakes compromised his chances, at Turn 2, Turn 14 and Turn 15; in the final reckoning, we think he lost as much as 0.9s in total". He said

Alonso's lap was even worse. On the first sector his lap looked quite competitive and he was going well to finish on the front row, but a costly mistake meant he spun and he failled to set a lap time.

"I made a mistake under braking for Turn 14, lost the back end and the car spun. Of course it's frustrating, particularly for the team who have worked hard this weekend, but I'm still confident. We know the car is quick and even starting last, I think we can fight for points. You can be sure it will be an aggressive, attacking race." A dissapointed Alonso commented afterwards.

"As for Fernando, he of course spun and failed to set a time, but once again, he was pushing very hard and looked set for the front row. If those mistakes hadn't happened, things would look very different tonight, but as I have said before, motor racing is not about 'ifs'". Said Symonds.

This means that Alonso would have to start tomorrow at the end of the grid what will take the team to change Alonso's engine.

"As a result of Fernando's low grid position, we have decided to change his engine, for the sake of caution. It will be replaced with the engine from the spare car. This will bring us no performance advantage, but it is of course better to use a low mileage engine: our reliability thus far has been impeccable, and this should further improve the likelihood of our finishing the race. Of course, doing this also opens up other strategic options, which are currently under consideration." Said Symonds.

Alonso has set his sights on scoring points tomorrow in order to not loose much ground on the hunt for the tittle.

"It's always difficult to start from the back but I think tomorrow will be no problem. Last year, two or three races I started from the back and managed always to be in the points. Tomorrow I hope to do the same thing." Said Alonso. "The start will be important but I think we can take points. I race always to the maximum, I like the circuit and the heat, so it will be an interesting race."

There is a big change Alonso will start from the grid tomorrow with a fuelled up car.