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Alonso brims with confidence
Nurburgring, June 27: Renault will be competing with the top three teams for a place on the podium at this weekend`s European Grand Prix, according to driver Fernando Alonso.
Nurburgring, June 27: Renault will be competing with the top three teams for a place on the podium at this weekend's European Grand Prix, according to driver Fernando Alonso.
The Spaniard, fresh from a surprisingly competitive performance at the Canadian race two weeks ago, believes the Renault car will be well suited to Germany's Nurburgring circuit.
Alonso finished in fourth place just four seconds behind winner Michael Schumacher in Canada, on a track that does not suit Renault because their engine lacks power.
He said: "We had a very good test in Jerez last week. We were very fast - I set the fastest time on both days - and I am looking forward to the weekend ahead. The Nurburgring should be a circuit that suits us."
Alonso has been the revelation of the season after a series of superb drives and lies third in the drivers' championship behind only Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen.
He has frequently had the Renault up with the recognised top three teams - Ferrari, McLaren and Williams - and the Nurburgring could well give him the opportunity to do so again.
It is a track that rewards strong aerodynamics and good handling - qualities that the Renault has in abundance. It also does not penalise a lack of engine power as much as some other tracks.
In both respects, it is a circuit similar in characteristics to Barcelona, where Alonso drove one of his best races of the season. He eventually finished second after challenging Schumacher for victory throughout the race.
Renault technical director Mike Gascoyne backs up Alonso's view. "Canada was an excellent performance. Fernando was tremendously competitive at a track that we did not expect to suit our package, and it was very gratifying to finish just behind the leader.
"Canada was a good race for us and the Nurburgring should suit the car even better.
"The Nurburgring is a high-downforce circuit and we already know the car is very efficient in that kind of configuration.
"What's more, [tyre supplier] Michelin has been doing a fantastic job, particularly on their dry-weather performance, and we are confident that our recent testing will serve us well for the upcoming races."
Bureau Report
The Spaniard, fresh from a surprisingly competitive performance at the Canadian race two weeks ago, believes the Renault car will be well suited to Germany's Nurburgring circuit.
Alonso finished in fourth place just four seconds behind winner Michael Schumacher in Canada, on a track that does not suit Renault because their engine lacks power.
He said: "We had a very good test in Jerez last week. We were very fast - I set the fastest time on both days - and I am looking forward to the weekend ahead. The Nurburgring should be a circuit that suits us."
Alonso has been the revelation of the season after a series of superb drives and lies third in the drivers' championship behind only Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen.
He has frequently had the Renault up with the recognised top three teams - Ferrari, McLaren and Williams - and the Nurburgring could well give him the opportunity to do so again.
It is a track that rewards strong aerodynamics and good handling - qualities that the Renault has in abundance. It also does not penalise a lack of engine power as much as some other tracks.
In both respects, it is a circuit similar in characteristics to Barcelona, where Alonso drove one of his best races of the season. He eventually finished second after challenging Schumacher for victory throughout the race.
Renault technical director Mike Gascoyne backs up Alonso's view. "Canada was an excellent performance. Fernando was tremendously competitive at a track that we did not expect to suit our package, and it was very gratifying to finish just behind the leader.
"Canada was a good race for us and the Nurburgring should suit the car even better.
"The Nurburgring is a high-downforce circuit and we already know the car is very efficient in that kind of configuration.
"What's more, [tyre supplier] Michelin has been doing a fantastic job, particularly on their dry-weather performance, and we are confident that our recent testing will serve us well for the upcoming races."
Bureau Report