Renault Report – Worse is not possible

After qualifying in 12th and 17th positions yesterday during the qualifications, the team was expecting to face a tough race today. With nothing to lose, they had gambled on ambitious strategic choices to try to climb up the ranks, especially since tire management seemed crucial. However, race incidents shaped a completely different afternoon, and the team ultimately suffered its first double retirement of the season.

Fisichella, after being hit at the first corner, then went off the track at the start of the second lap and was hit by Yamamoto as he rejoined the track. The significant damage to his car allowed him to reach the pits but was too severe to hope to continue the race.

Heikki, who was then the only ING Renault F1 Team driver on the track, set off on super-soft tires with a very aggressive strategy. After being hit at the first corner, he suffered a puncture on the front left, forcing him to return to the pits. He eventually had to retire after a violent crash on lap 35 following a technical incident with his car.

Heikki Kovalainen – Retirement

« We had planned to make a very short first relay with a light car. I got a good start, I passed the first corner, hoping to have the inside in the next corner, I was side by side with Ralf Schumacher. I think Fisico got hit because his car quickly cleared, which through a series of incidents led Ralf to hit me. At first, I thought the front suspension had broken, but I drove to the pit, thinking maybe it was just a flat tire. It turned out to be the case, so we refueled for a long time and then went back on the track. »

Unfortunately, during the operation, I lost a lap and was under the blue flag almost my entire first stint: I was faster than the cars in front of me but since I was being lapped, I had to let them pass! I then managed to get out of the traffic and hoped to finish the race. But then in turn number 2, I felt a vibration in the left rear, and I couldn’t do anything; I hit the wall. It’s a shame to abandon like this and not be able to finish all the races, but these things happen. All I want now is to focus on the future and the challenges ahead: the New York marathon first in November and the following year. I want to become world champion, it’s my goal, I need to be even better prepared mentally and physically. I’m going to work on it as soon as possible.

Giancarlo Fisichella – Retirement

« It has been a difficult season for the whole team, but I was hoping that the last race of the season would last a bit more than two laps! I was hit from behind at the start, which damaged the car. Then, on the second lap, I was battling with a Williams in turn number 1, and I went off the track. The car was very difficult to control on the grass, with very little grip, which meant that when I got back on the track, I was hit by another car. »

« It’s a racing incident and I’m sorry that it forced both of us to retire. It’s a shame to end the season this way, especially since we fought so hard this year. I want to thank all the team members: no matter the circumstances, they never gave up and never stopped working; they too would have deserved a better end to the season. »

Flavio Briatore – Managing Director ING Renault F1 Team

We had a very difficult season and we are ending the year with a disappointing race. The team expected a challenging end to the season given the fact that we have decided to focus on preparing for the next season for some time now, and when you start from the middle of the pack, the kind of incidents we suffered today can happen.

« Despite this, we were ready to take some risks today that could have paid off. The important thing at the end of such a difficult season is that we have consistently shown our determination and willingness. The support from Renault, ING, and our other partners has been unwavering throughout the season, and we want to thank them today for their commitment. Our next challenge will be to show that we can bounce back next year and regain our place among the elite. I am convinced that we have the means to do so! »

Pat Symonds – Executive Director of Engineering

« Giancarlo’s race was very short: when you have two crashes in two laps, it’s highly likely that it’s simply a sign that it won’t be your day! As for Heikki, after his problem in qualifying, we decided to change our strategic approach because it was simply impossible to score points with a conventional approach. »

« We had planned to make a very short first stint with the ultra-soft tires, and it turned out to be even shorter than expected, as he suffered a puncture on the first lap. He then didn’t give up, even with a lap delay, but eventually had a violent crash at turn number 3. We now need to understand why, but it seems to be the result of a technical problem with the car. We have very high standards at Renault, and while we do not have to be ashamed of our position in the championship, it does not satisfy us. We are now simply more determined than ever for next year. »

According to the ING Renault F1 Team