Zoom Ten points to gain to challenge Toyota

Renault Executive Director of Engineering Pat Symonds looks back on the Grand Prix in Valencia and ahead to this week's challenge at Spa Francorchamps. Renault has targeted fourth position in the constructors' championship, a position currently held by the Toyota team.

A tough weekend for the team in Valencia – how would you sum up the overall performance?
"We were certainly left disappointed and the source of our problems seemed to be qualifying, where we underperformed. If Fernando had managed a couple of clean laps in Q2, I think he would have been comfortably through to the final part of qualifying. As it was, the rest of the weekend was a direct result of our poor qualifying because starting in the midfield bunch always puts you at risk, just as Fernando found out. Nelson suffered similar trouble on the opening lap as he was held up with Fernando’s accident and then tangled with Coulthard."

Fernando’s race in Valencia was brief. Will he be able to bounce back in Spa?
"Yes, absolutely. But it’s not really a question of bouncing back because we know that we have a very definite level of performance that is strong enough to allow us to run in the top ten. Spa is a circuit that both the drivers particularly like and where the car will be good so I’m sure we will be back in our usual position."

Spa is one of Nelson’s favourite circuits and he was a GP2 victor there. Will that give him a boost?
"Although drivers can have favourite tracks, it shouldn’t really affect their ability to perform and we’ve already seen that Nelson can be strong at any type of track. However, racing at a track you enjoy is the sort of thing that helps you raise your game a little bit. Nelson will be strong and he’s looking forward to it."

The fight for fourth continues with an in form Toyota. Do you still feel you can take the fight to them in the final six races?
"It’s a tough battle and we know it’s going to be hard work. With six races to go they’ve got ten points advantage on us, which is a reasonable lead, especially when you consider that we are fighting for the smaller points paying positions. We never underestimate anyone and we need to fight hard with them, but I do believe that we have what it takes, as a team, to beat them. We know there’s a lot to do and, of course, a freak result can make a big difference, but if all things are equal and we battle until the end of the season, I think it’s an achievable target."