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The ING Renault F1 Team was back on track
today to begin its preparations for Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix in
Sepang.
Fernando Alonso, R28-03
Free Practice 1: P6, 1:37.022, 18 laps
Free Practice 2: P15, 1:37.328, 43 laps
Nelson Piquet, R28-01
Free Practice 1: P7, 1:37.034, 28 laps
Free Practice 2: P15, 1:37.331, 43 laps
Hot and humid conditions remained throughout the day as both drivers
completed busy programmes of set-up work and tyre evaluation. Fernando
was hampered with gearbox problems in the afternoon, depriving him of
second gear, but the team opted not to make a change to continue with
its scheduled programme. Nelson enjoyed a trouble-free day, covering a
total of 71 laps, as the team concentrated on giving the young
Brazilian maximum mileage ahead of his second Grand Prix.
Fernando Alonso
“It was hot today for the first day of work and I had a
problem with my gearbox this afternoon which disturbed my programme a
bit, but we still managed to continue and finished this first day with
some interesting data in view of the qualifying session tomorrow. We
will try and analyse that this evening in order to make the most of the
last practice session tomorrow. To improve our performance level in
qualifying is always our objective and we are working hard on this
area.”
Nelson Piquet
“I did a lot of laps
today and I was able to complete the planned programme which has really
made a big difference. The fact that I know the circuit also helps and
I have learned a lot and feel comfortable. I hope that things continue
like this until Sunday as I was happy with the behaviour of the car.
There is still a lot to do, but overall the result of this first day is
most encouraging.”
Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering
“Fernando
experienced a gearbox problem and he was unable to use second gear,
which is quite a penalty around Sepang. In view of the new gearbox
regulations, we decided that, even though this was a test gearbox, we
would leave it on and continue running to see what happened. Before the
end of the session the gearbox failed completely. Nelson had a solid
day learning the circuit, and his early performance was very good.
However, our emphasis today was to develop both him and the car, and so
we chose to use the tyres in a way that would give us optimum learning,
as opposed to optimum lap times.”
Denis Chevrier, Head of Engine Track Operations
“The
first session went well for us, even if it was slightly shortened
because of a red flag. In the second session Fernando had a problem
with the gearbox, but we still managed to continue. Nelson had a busy
programme, but we managed to complete it which is encouraging. As usual
we should not place too much importance on the hierarchy that we saw
today as this is only Friday. In terms of the engine, everything went
well and we don’t have any particular worries. We have recorded lots of
information that we must now make the most of ahead of the qualifying
session tomorrow.”
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