Alonso hopeful of stretching lead., Turkish Grand Prix, 27 August.
| Promethium |
|
Administrator
Group: Admin
Posts: 387
Member No.: 1
Joined: 17-February 06
|
| QUOTE | World champion Fernando Alonso is optimistic he can extend his lead over Michael Schumacher in this year's title chase at Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix.
Alonso says he believes Renault can win in Turkey
The Spaniard believes his performance in Hungary three weeks ago proved the team were back to form after a poor showing in Germany the previous week.
"There was some pressure on us after Germany, but the race in Hungary showed that the R26 is still very competitive.
"Turkey will bring its own challenges, but I am feeling confident," he said.
"This type of circuit suits our car, and Michelin will bring good tyres. So we need to concentrate on our job, put the package together and not make mistakes.
"I am in the position where everybody wants to be - leading the championship, with the races counting down."
If the FIA wins the appeal, we really have to start to relook at the definition of what a racing car is
Pat Symonds
Renault engineering director
Alonso lost an opportunity to go 21 points clear of title rival Michael Schumacher in Hungary when a wheel nut came loose while he was on course to win, handing victory to Jenson Button.
Instead, Schumacher was able to close in to just 10 points behind after being classified eighth after a fraught weekend of his own.
But Renault were pleased by Alonso's strong performance in Hungary because it proved they could be competitive without the controversial "mass damper" system that was banned by the sport's governing body the FIA before Germany.
Renault had intended to use the system - a counterweight mounted on springs within the nose of the car that enhances stability during cornerning - in Hungary, but changed their minds after receiving an explanation of the FIA's view on the subject.
It remains to be seen whether Renault will use the system in Turkey, as it is the subject of an FIA appeal on Tuesday.
The FIA's own stewards decided in Germany that the system was legal, only for the FIA to lodge an appeal against that verdict immediately.
That appeal will be heard by the FIA's court of appeal in Paris, with Renault saying they are confident the FIA will lose.
Renault face a critical verdict on their "mass damper" system
The FIA, which had passed the system legal at the French Grand Prix two weeks before Germany, claims the system is illegal because it helps the car's aerodynamics - movable aerodynamic devices are outlawed in the F1 rules.
They have come to that view despite the "mass damper" being fitted within the nose of the car and being in no contact with the airflow around the car.
Renault engineering director Pat Symonds is confident the FIA will lose, and says that if it wins it will throw many other aspects of the F1 technical regulations into doubt.
Symonds said: "If the FIA wins the appeal - and I really do not believe the FIA can win the appeal on the grounds they have said - but if they do then we really have to start to relook at the definition of what a racing car is - its suspension, everything.
"If the FIA choose to interpret in the particular manner they are doing now, then there are many, many other parts on the car open to interpretation.
"It's quite obvious that they (the FIA) never understood the system. Because you can't change your mind about something factual. If someone's shirt is blue, it's blue. You can't have that as an opinion."
|
|
|
|
Help
Search
Members
Calendar
