Alan Permane optimistic: “A very great satisfaction”

Renault, as we know, had a great race in Japan. The French team delivered its best performance in 2007 with 12 points gained, but the drivers and the team know they must stay calm and not get carried away!

Nevertheless, the team expects good results from the last two Grand Prix, to end the year 2007 on a high note and return in 2008 at the top of the standings. Alan Permane, the Chief Race Engineer, is optimistic!

The team experienced in Japan its best result so far this season. What was your feeling at the finish?

“A very great satisfaction because everything went well. We had a good strategy, the pit stops went smoothly, and our two drivers did a remarkable job in very difficult track conditions. We scored 12 points, more than any other team in a weekend this season, aside from McLaren and Ferrari, of course. It was an excellent result for the whole team!”

What are your expectations for the next race in Shanghai?

“We are very positive, not only because of our result in Japan but also thanks to the basic performance of our car. We were competitive on a dry track at Mount Fuji on Friday and Shanghai is not a very different circuit in terms of its demands. We have continued to gain performance since the last races and I am confident; if the weekend goes normally, on a dry track, we should be able to turn this potential into concrete results.”

The team is without a doubt somewhat euphoric after Sunday’s race?

“Whether you’re fighting for victory or not, the efforts made don’t change. The two factories, the test team, the race team… everyone has given their all this year. When you win, it’s easy to feel rewarded. When that’s not the case, it makes life harder for the team but our commitment and investment have not changed! Our result in Fuji is a nice first reward for all the work that has been done this year, but everyone is still giving their all for the end of this season and the preparations for the one ahead.”

According to ING Renault F1 Team