Alonso Realistic About Renault’s Chances For Improvement

Renault

Mar 28, 2008

The 26-year-old Spaniard, who returned to Renault after a miserable year with McLaren Mercedes-Benz in 2007, said he hoped that the team would improve in all areas to make a title bid possible next year.
“We already knew we were not close enough to fight for important things and we’re well behind Ferrari, McLaren and BMW.”
“We are in that group with Red Bull, Williams and Toyota. Sometimes, depending on the circuit, the set-up or strategy, we can sometimes be in front or behind.”
Alonso, the champion in 2005 and 2006, finished a fighting fourth for Renault last Sunday, but admitted that that result was as much due to good luck as a good performance.

“It was good (to finish fourth and ahead of Heikki Kovalainen), but obviously we were lucky with that situation.” he said.
“I’m optimistic. It’s only the first race of the championship and at this point of the year you are always optimistic!”
“There are a lot of races and a lot of time and I really think we can close that gap and improve the car a lot. But in F1, nothing is 100 per cent sure and okay, we will improve, but the others will too. It’s up to us to do a better job.”
Hindustan Times

On back with Renault Alonso says-“It feels good to be back with Renault, a team that I know well and where I have many happy memories. In some ways the team is exactly the same, but in others the team is completely different to the one I left in 2006. The team has become stronger in many areas and there have been changes. But I still see many familiar faces, which is nice, and that is why it feels a bit like coming home.”
“I think there is no doubt that McLaren and Ferrari are the favourites this season. They were so strong last year and we have already seen they are well ahead this year.Our aim is to fight with them at the front, but at the moment we are fighting with a big group of teams in the midfield, and even finishing in the top eight is not easy.”
Hindustan Times