Zoom Making gains with the R28 package

Fernando Alonso's performance with the updated R28 package in Barcelona has given encouragement to the Renault team. Pat Symonds now believes that the team are within one percent of the front-running teams as he looks back on the Spanish Grand Prix and ahead to the Turkish Grand Prix.

Pat, ultimately the Spanish Grand Prix was a case of unrealised potential, but the team took a big step forward in terms of performance. How do you look back on the weekend?
"When we went testing in Barcelona before the Grand Prix, we only knew what improvements we had made to our own vehicle, and we had to keep in mind that all the other teams would have new upgrades coming for the first European race. So although we were confident that we had improved, all that really mattered was how much we had improved compared to the others. It was still not until Saturday afternoon and qualifying that we had a true idea of where we stood. So to get both cars into the top ten in qualifying was a big relief; we now know that the pace really is there relative to the others."

Fernando’s home race ended prematurely – how did he feel after the race?
"Fernando was pretty upbeat after the race, which is a good attitude to have because although it’s terribly disappointing to have the promise unfulfilled, it’s better than not having any promise at all. That’s the attitude the whole team has taken to the result because we were racing a lot closer towards the front than we have been for a considerable period of time. But we need to start scoring points again and if we had not shown the potential we did in Spain, then I don’t think we would know how we were going to get those points. The fact is that we have shown the potential and therefore we can go out and race for the points."

As you say Nelson had another short lived race after a midfield collision, but how was his weekend overall?
"It was very nearly a perfect weekend, spoiled by one mistake, which is a great shame because on Friday, when the track conditions were poor, he dealt with the car exceptionally well. He was quick on Saturday and his qualifying time in Q2 was very impressive and right up there with Fernando’s time. So it was great to see him reach Q3, where his fuel-corrected time was still impressive and was not far behind Fernando. And let’s remember that we are comparing a rookie with a double world champion, and so to be close to Fernando is a great credit. It’s just a pity that the race was spoiled by one silly mistake, which ultimately led to the collision with Bourdais."