By role
September 28 2004

Renault Sport President, Patrick Faure, has talked with the Spanish sport newspaper Marca about the last few events in Renault and also about the future of their star driver Fernando Alonso. Faure is quite satisfied that the team has filled the goals they set at the start of the season. “I honestly believe we have done even better that we were expecting at the start of the season. Our goal was to finish on the top 3 and we have even beat teams like Williams or McLaren. Our season has been great and we will fight in the last few races with BAR Honda for finishing second.” Said Faure. “Nobody thought at the start that Renault would be in this positiobn, the same has happened to BAR Honda and with more work we can be a threat for Ferrari next year.”

Faure is also certain that the key to beat Ferrari next season is Fernando Alonso:

“The key to beat Ferrari is on Alonso’s hands. The day that Alonso can fight Michael Schumacher with a car to go at the same pace he will beat Ferrari and that is our aim. The day that Fernando does not have to go to the limit to keep the pace we will see different races, because I am sure Alonso is as fast as Michael. I believe 2005 is going to be the year of Fernando.” He added. “I do not like to talk about the talented young drivers neither to say that they are the new Prost, Senna or Scumacher. I try not to bee emotional in this matter in order not to let the feelings set in, but I have to see that I am impressed by the level of positive aggression that Fernando has while driving. Is a natural born competitor. And sometimes when I talk to engineers that have worked with Senna or Schumacher they tell me that they have not known anyone as good as Alonso.”

Faure knows that he must keep Alonso on the team in the future and that that would be a difficult task:

“Fernando is happy with the team, is intelligent and he understood that Renault was giving him a great opportunity. He always says he is thankful to Renault for this. We believe that we can be World Champions together. He added. “Not only I think is possible that Alonso becomes World Champion in 2005, is that I believe it will belike that. I believe Fernando will be World Champion in 2005.”

“When a team is happy with the driver, the team is willing to give it all and to retain the driver at any price. We have a contract until the end of 2005 and it would be great for him and for Renault to win the Championship together. I hope that he remains many years with us.”


Renault has had on their driver portfolio some of the new generation of drivers that are set to become the next Schumacher:

“It’s hard to say (who will be the next Schumacher). From Raikkonen I only know what I see on TV because he is at McLaren, but we have had Button in our team. My opinion is that Alonso is the most aggressive of all, the one with more talent. Today he is one step ahead of their rivals.”

Faure is aware that it will be hard to beat Ferrari unless they are able to make a significant step and that the R24 is loosing competitiveness lately:
“However, in the last few races our gap with Ferrari has grown , mainly because the performance of the Bridgestone tyres has been quite good, but I am sure Michelin will react soon.” Said Faure. “I believe Ferrari will continue to be among the best, fighting wins, but I believe our 2005car will be much more competitive.”

“We are working hard to make the car more reliable, more reliable. In 2005 engine power will not be as important taking under consideration the new rules. We will be closer to Ferrari when we increase our reliability. They never break an engine during the race.”

Faure is not so worried about the advantage that Bridgestone may have at the present time:

“Michelin is far from Bridgestone now but they will fight back. I know that company well and how they work. They are winners.”