Renault Report – Like a Fish in Water!

Renault achieves the best race of the season on the brand new Mount Fuji circuit, but especially in very perilous conditions. Hats off, gentlemen! After a failed qualifying session where both cars couldn’t reach the super pole, the challenge was significant today. Indeed, all the setup and adjustments on the cars were made for dry […]

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Rédigé par Par

Renault achieves the best race of the season on the brand new Mount Fuji circuit, but especially in very perilous conditions. Hats off, gentlemen!

After a failed qualifying session where both cars couldn’t reach the super pole, the challenge was significant today. Indeed, all the setup and adjustments on the cars were made for dry conditions. Thus, it was expected not to see the French team shine on Japanese soil.

There is nothing of the sort, the drivers with this additional constraint used all their talent to deliver a near-perfect race. This talent was based on maintaining focus from the start of the GP to the finish line. It’s no surprise then to see Kovalainen climb to the second step of the podium and Fisichella finish 5th. Not a single spin, not a driving error, here is the recipe for a great performance.

Heikki Kovalainen – 2nd

“This season has really been made of ups and downs, and this weekend was no exception! We took a risky decision in terms of settings yesterday, hoping that today’s race would take place in better conditions. When I got up this morning and saw the rain falling and the fog, I didn’t think I could experience such an afternoon!”

“But once again, it shows that no matter how catastrophic the situation may seem, you must never give up. Our strategy worked perfectly today and the team deserved at least a podium. Everyone asked me how I experienced those last laps with Kimi, but my mirrors were fogged up and I couldn’t see him at all.”

“I was watching the board at the stands showing the lap count, and I knew he was going to try something. He overtook me at turn number 6 on the last lap, but I wanted that second place! So, I went around him on the outside at turn number 10. The car was aquaplaning, but I stayed full throttle and managed to get back ahead. It’s a fantastic feeling to be on the podium for the first time. We now hope to achieve this kind of performance in China next week.”

Giancarlo Fisichella – 5th

“This was one of the toughest races of my career, the track was soaked throughout the race and the conditions didn’t really improve. The main thing today was to stay on the track and not make any mistakes.”

“The balance was a bit inconsistent, especially at low speed, and I was also aquaplaning on the straights. I don’t think we reached our potential today, but I still managed a solid race while many didn’t make it to the finish!”

Flavio Briatore – Managing Director ING Renault F1 Team

“During the last race in the rain in Germany, we had not managed to come out on top and had only scored one point at that time. The team made no mistakes today and Heikki was perfect.”

“We scored twelve points with our two cars and our rookie raced like a much more experienced driver! I want to congratulate the whole team, after a difficult season, they deserved such a result!”

Pat Symonds – Executive Director of Engineering

“The conditions were extremely difficult today, and it was crucial not to make the slightest mistake! That’s what we did, and we seized the opportunity to step onto the podium for the first time this year!”

“Heikki had a remarkable race; he was under pressure but managed to respond to Kimi’s attacks with the right amount of aggressiveness and tenacity! He demonstrated once again what a great race is. This first podium is even more beautiful because we have our second car in the points, which is the first time since Silverstone.”

“The team did not make a single misstep and if we succeeded in holding our own in such circumstances, it is thanks to everyone’s efforts!”

According to the ING Renault F1 Team

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