Zoom Two in a row for Alonso and Renault

The Renault F1 team heads for Shanghai where the penultimate round of the 2008 season awaits with the Chinese Grand Prix this week-end. Coming off of two consecutives victories, feats the team itself thought almost impossible to achieve not very long ago, morale is understandably high.

Fernando Alonso's Singapore win might have been a combination of luck and quick reactions following the Safety Car's appearance, but the victory recorded in Japan last Sunday was the direct result of a strong performance delivered by the double World Champion and Renault.

Nelson Piquet, taking fourth place at the chequered flag, also gave reason for much satisfaction within the team. Now the focus turns to the challenge coming up at the Shanghai International Circuit.

FERNANDO ALONSO Q&A:

Fernando, two wins in two races. How does that feel?

"I am gradually realising what we have achieved because a few weeks ago winning a Grand Prix seemed totally out of the question. In Singapore, we were very disappointed with our qualifying, but in the race we had some luck and won the race. In Fuji, it was a completely different story. We totally deserved this victory; we were quick and our strategy played out perfectly. It's simply unbelievable and I am extremely happy. The team has done an amazing job these last few weeks to get to this level of performance and we are now clearly the third-fastest team. "

After Japan last week we remain in Asia for the Chinese Grand Prix. Is it a race that you enjoy?

"Formula 1 is still a relatively new sport in China but the fans are very enthusiastic and very welcoming, just as they are in Japan. It's a real change of surroundings and the infrastructure here is enormous. I can't wait to get back in the car this weekend as it's an interesting place to drive a Formula 1 car."

What do you think of the circuit?

"I think the circuit provides several interesting challenges for both the drivers and the engineers. It's made up of long straights, high-speed corners, but also some slow corners. So again it will be a case of compromising with the set-up to find the right balance with a car that is stable in the corners with plenty of downforce and which still has enough straight-line speed to be able to defend or overtake on the straights. That is what we will concentrate on during Friday practice."

With two consecutive victories, do you think you will be able to win again this weekend in Shanghai?