Transcript Chat European GP

Thursday 28 August 2008 | RF1 Paddock Pass

| RF1PP | Valencia | Chat

As promised, here is the transcript of the post-European Grand Prix chat from Tuesday August 26th. Don't forget that you can find the transcripts directly on the following page : http://my.ing-renaultf1.com/en/chat.

The next chat will take place on Tuesday September 9th to review the Belgian Grand Prix.

welcome to this new chat session

RF1 Paddock Pass: Welcome to our now traditional post-Grand Prix Chat.

Alonso5901: Hello RF1PP!!

Alonso5901: First of all, I felt so sorry for Fernando, he should have had a great race. Congratulations to Nelson, who had a tough race but coped well with a broken front wing.

RF1 Paddock Pass: Yes, it was a difficult race and we were all a bit disappointed to be honest with you!

Disappointed not to see Fernando deliver a beautiful race in front of his adoring fans and disappointed for Nelson too...a weekend to forget in many ways...

We now want to look forward. There are still 6 Grands Prix remaining and we are still aiming for fourth position in the constructors' championship.

Alonso01: Why is the R28 less competitive than the cars produced in 2005 and 2006?

RF1 Paddock Pass: The regulations have changed an awful lost since 2006...that's one of the reasons!

Cirebox: Hello RF1PP and thanks you for taking a break from dinner ;-) The team decided against repairing Fernando's car in Valencia. Was this to look after the engine for Spa or because the damage to the car was too severe.

RF1 Paddock Pass: In fact we explained that in the podcast that we have just recorded this morning.

Initially we started to try and repair the car, but around the rear wing there are always other parts of the car that are an important part of the crash structure and you never know how much these parts have been damaged, and you certainly don't want to take any risks. Plus we had already lost lots of time at that point in the race and so you have to think of the rest of the championship when you are in this sort of situation. It was the better thing to do even if it was a shame for the Spanish public who did not see much of their Spanish champion

Hetays: Hello. Valencia was a very, very disappointing race for us. Actually disappointment is an appropriate word for this season. I wonder whether Renault feels guilty because you have given a car to the best driver of F1 which is not competitive enough?

RF1 Paddock Pass: No I don't think we feel guilty... We know this season is difficult and disappointing, but Fernando always knew it was going to be tough... I think he also knows that everybody in the team is working very hard to provide him and Nelson with a better package! He has no doubts about that and I think this is the most important thing... We have improved and we will continue this way to try and grab 4th place at the championship!

User-21: What did the drivers think of this new circuit? Thanks...

RF1 Paddock Pass: Generally they really liked it, especially the final sector which is the most physical in terms of lateral G forces.

We thought that the track would be quicker, less slippery and that there would be more overtaking, but there was not that much of that in the end.

Cirebox: Even though Nelson did not finish in the points, has his race given you some good useful data for 2009? If yes, in what ways, especially considering that the rules are changing next season.

RF1 Paddock Pass: It has given us some good information...not only for 2009...but for the six races remaining this season.

Cirebox: So what sort of information?

RF1 Paddock Pass: We have gathered some data on certain elements of the car in view of the coming races...and don't ask me to be more precise, because I cannot be. I don't want to anger Pat...lol!

Tchess23: Having seen this question come up on the blog often, why do you send the drivers out so late in qualifying (for their second runs)?

RF1 Paddock Pass: I have already explained several times that we generally wait for the optimal window to be on the racetrack - that means the moment when the track is at its best. The field is so competitive and a tenth of a second can be the difference between getting into Q3 and missing out. Very often that depends on the track condition with it getting faster towards the end of the session. You have to be on it at the right time and that's why we have to wait.

But in Valencia, Nelson was the first to go out in Q1, leaving the garage before the track had even opened, so it doesn't seem to be that we waited a particularly long time. You also have to make decisions in terms of tyres over the weekend.

User-21: If Fernando's gearbox was damaged (following the accident with Nakajima) could he change it without taking a penalty?

RF1 Paddock Pass: First of all, it was not damaged, but the team will do everything that is possible to be ready to make any changes if necessary. But, for the moment, let's leave Valencia as we are in Monza...

Tchess23: Which drivers will be at the Monza test?

RF1 Paddock Pass: Nelson will be driving for the first day and Fernando will do the final two.

User-21: What do you attribute our failure to reach Q3 to? An error for Ferni? And for Nelson?

RF1 Paddock Pass: We struggled to find out pace in Q1 and that surprised us to be honest. It was very close and everybody improved. There was a small error for Fernando, and Nelson also said that he made a mistake and could have done better...we also made mistakes in terms of set-up. It was a whole range of reasons.

Alonso5901: RF1PP, could you come and say hello to me on Thursday in Spa. I will be in the pit lane between 15h and 17h.

RF1 Paddock Pass: I'm afraid I will be in meetings then, but I hope you have fun. Make the most of it...

Alonso5901: What are the team's expectations for Spa?

RF1 Paddock Pass: We hope to do better than in Valencia! Our objective for the rest of the season is to claim fourth place. So we hope to be on the pace and in a better position than in Spain. We are working hard to achieve this in Monza.

Alonso5901: I couldn't bear to watch the TV when Fernando retired in Valencia, but I stayed until the end for Nelson and the team. What will the team be doing in Monza this week?

RF1 Paddock Pass: It's mainly a case of preparing for the race in Monza in three weeks time...a special package has been developed for this purpose. But we are working also on various aspects which should be exploited in Spa and during the other races on the calendar.

Tchess23: Are you happy with the brake cooling?

RF1 Paddock Pass: We did not have ay specific problems last weekend, all went well apparently.

ProstForver: Hello RF1PP, how did Piquet break the bridge on his wing?

RF1 Paddock Pass: Nelson hit Coulthard at the start and caused some damage, but it was only gentle contact.

ProstForever: Why did the team not replace the front wing when he refuelled?

RF1 Paddock Pass: To change the wing, or leave the wing...that was the question. We opted for the second option so that we would not lose more time during the second pit-stop.

Patmx50: Your partnership with ING started in which year?

RF1 Paddock Pass: We started our partnership with ING in 2007, after the retirement of our former title partner Mild Seven.

User-21: What will ING do in 2009?

RF1 Paddock Pass: We have a three year contract with ING...2007, 2008 and yes...

User-21: It sees that you have always had big problems with traction in the slow corners...do you agree?

RF1 Paddock Pass: A few slow corners in Valencia I think...

All the teams complained about that I think...the track was incredibly slippery....very dirty. You should have seen the dust that they swept away from the circuit. The pit lane was particularly bad! The organisers wet the track every day to try and wash it away, but it did not really work. 

Cirebox: Was the team surprised in Valencia by the competitiveness of the Toro Rossos?

RF1 Paddock Pass: Vettel did a super job in Q2...he was fastest of all. They certainly surprised us - especially on Friday because that were on the pace immediately. They seemed much more comfortable than their cousins at Red Bull Racing.

VET certainly seemed comfortable on this track, but we have already seen several races where the young German has done well. We will have to watch out for him through to the end of the season, and next season for sure!

User-21: How do you explain the difference in performance between Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso?

RF1 Paddock Pass: I know what you are trying to suggest User-21 - our experts have briefly responded to this subject in the French podcast. It's worth a listen!

User-21: Very interesting podcast.

RF1 Paddock Pass: As always! I hope that you will give it as much credit as you give to the information you read on the internet...lol!

User-21: That's true!

Cirebox: RF1PP, I would like to see Fernando on the podium in Spa at around 16:00. I will be in from of my TV ;-)

RF1PP: That's the spirit! We certainly want to see him up there! Spa is going to be a great race. It's an incredible circuit...Monza too, they are both legendary. Then, after that, it's on to China and Japan, two Grands Prix that I really like, even though I miss Suzuka. And finally, after that it's Brazil...a big day for Nelson! There are only six races left for us to fight back and to win fourth place. We must believe it is possible.

User-21: Who do you think will see on the podium in Spa RF1PP?

RF1 Paddock Pass: I'm not a fan of predictions this far in advance...I may have a better idea on the Friday of the race.

Alonso5901: You forgot Singapore RF1PP.

RF1 Paddock Pass: Yes, it's because I've never been there.  But obviously it's one of the six races in question. Like you, I cannot wait to see what it's like - the first ever night race, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

Unfortunately we've run out of time so I have to leave you now.

User21: Are you going to add a spotlight to Fernando's helmet in Singapore?

RF1 Paddock Pass: No, two head lights at the front of the car will be easier! lol

Thanks everyone for being present.

Everyone says goodbye.