Transcript Chat Singapore GP

Monday 6 October 2008 | RF1 Paddock Pass

| RF1PP | Chat | Singapore

As promised, here is the transcript of the post-Singapore Grand Prix chat from Tuesday September 30th. 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 October 14th to review the Japanese Grand Prix.

RF1 Paddock Pass: Hey guys thanks for being with us for our traditional post GP chat session!

Everybody says hello and congratulations for the weekend’s result.

Seb28: The morale should be high in the team after that result?

RF1 Paddock Pass: Yes, absolutely. There was a great atmosphere on Sunday evening and all the way through to Monday morning because it was already 22:00 on Sunday evening when the race finished.

Tony: Superb result on Sunday. I can’t wait for the next race in 2 weeks time.

Seb28: What did the final few laps feel like in the garage?

RF1 Paddock Pass: Intense…but you could say that about the whole race! When we saw how the race was developing and what we could achieve, it became even more stressful! We’d forgotten what it felt like!

Tchess23: Hello RF1PP and thanks for all the hard work that has helped make this victory possible.

Fisico04: That’s been two years since we have heard the Marseillaise on the podium – what a delight!

RF1 Paddock Pass: In fact we were very disappointed after qualifying, and that affected our morale a bit because we had hoped to do something special. But after the race, the luck turned around, much to the happiness of the whole team.

Lengskee: What does this win mean to Fernando and the whole Renault F1 Team as we end the 2008 season? Do we expect strong results for the remaining 3 races?

RF1 Paddock Pass: It was indeed a great feeling for all of us!
The first words of Fernando on the radio when he crossed the line were for the team saying how great the car was all weekend and that it was a super win, a great feeling!

ThePowerOfOne : Do you think there is a chance that we can repeat such a performance in the coming GPs? Or have you found it to be strictly track related?

RF1 Paddock Pass : Difficult to know if it was only circuit related coz on a street circuit it depends on your car of course but also your capacity to push to the limit and to take some risks...
We did work hard the past few weeks to bring some new parts for the three remaining races so we hope to have improved actually!
We did say we wanted to take the 4th place in the Constructors’ with the 3rd fastest car so we keep that in mind and will work hard for Japan, China and Brazil... the new parts we had in Singapore will still be used there...

mysmer : Hi, it was awesome in Singapore and I really would like to congratulate you all and thank you for the brilliant present for us, the fans. My question is.... There was a report about Fernando sticking to European time, even in Singapore to be able to have a good condition at the race. Did it work well and was there anything he did extra to adjust to night racing?

RF1 Paddock Pass: The team decided to stay on the European time, just because the race was going to be at 14:00 European time... So we postponed all our schedule, just as if we were in Europe... It meant we woke up at 13:00, had breakfast at 17:30 at the track, lunch at 23:00 and dinner at 02:00... in bed again at 06:00 if we were lucky! The engineers did finish at 09:00am more than once! But it was worth it!

Cirebox: What was the exact problem with Fernando in qualifying? Is it a problem that can happen on road cars or is it more complicated?

RF1 Paddock Pass: We identified the problem very quickly as soon as we had recovered the car. It was a very simple problem with the fuel system, but I can’t give you any more details. It’s something that happens, which could be caused by the bumps on the circuit, or by something else that we don’t know about. But it’s true that it costs us a great grid position in qualifying. We were aiming for the top 3!

Muriel: Will the evolutions that were introduced for the weekend be on the car through until the end of the season?

RF1 Paddock Pass: They have been especially developed to deal wit the demands of the final four races of the season (Singapore included).

Cirebox: We’re now looking forward to Japan, what are your feelings…anxious?

Rf1 Paddock Pass: Not at all.

ThePowerOfOne : RF1PP, can you tell us about the driver’s drinks system failing, isn't it a simple bottle and a long straw LOL?

RF1 Paddock Pass : No it's not indeed!
Sometimes it fails... it happened to Fernando in Malaysia once and he could barely stand on the podium to celebrate his win!
I think he should have such kind of problems more often as he usually wins when it happened! lol!

kisparna : Did the drivers have any problems with their sleeping hours over the weekend? It must have been strange for them to wake up in the afternoon!

RF1 Paddock Pass: They had no problems, but it felt a little bit strange for everyone in the paddock to be honest! A good atmosphere though...

Fabdy62: Isn’t this the season for typhoons and bad weather in Japan and Mount Fuji.

RF1 Paddock Pass: It can be very poor in Japan, and we still have the memories from last year! But that can also be the case in China (last year there were also the risk of typhoons).

mysmer: Is Fernando already in Japan preparing for the next race at Fuji?

RF1 Paddock Pass: No, Fernando is now enjoying some days off with his family in Asia. He will go to Japan next Wednesday if I remember well. Most people from the race team also stayed in Asia just because it's not worth it for them to come back if they have to leave again on Sunday.... but RF1PP is back in Europe... I arrived this morning.

Nanette29: Hello, first of all thanks to Fernando and all the team at the factories for this magnificent victory. Can the parts and car developments from the weekend be on the car next season?

RF1 Paddock Pass: Because of the big rule changes for next season, that seems unlikely Just as the parts we are developing for the R29 are not suitable for the R28…

Fabdy62: Can the shark-fin be used on the R29?

RF1 Paddock Pass: You will have to be patient…the R29 will be launched in January. You can’t expect me to release that sort of information. It’s only September!

Seb28: I read that the first runs in the virtual wind tunnel were encouraging and that some interesting avenues have been discovered for the R29?

RF1 Paddock Pass: Yes, all is going well in the CFD centre, but I don’t have any more to say and I’m sure that you understand just how confidential it is. We are advancing well with the R29.

ProstForever: Hello RF1PP: A big well done to the whole team for this fantastic, historic victory. Is there a party planned? Enstone? Viry? With Ferni?

RF1 Paddock Pass: In terms of the celebrations, there was basically a debrief to talk the team through the race and how we got our final result. It was a nice moment to savour, which we have been missing lately.

Fisico04: will you have one of your Roadshows in the north of France?

Rf1 Paddock Pass: Nothing is planned for the moment in France. I’m sorry…but who knows…

Heikkia: In any case thanks for the super Grand Prix that the team gave us…

Fisico04: This victory at the weekend, does it indicate the return of Renault?

RF1 Paddock Pass: We already said that we were going to fight until the end of the season, and this result is proof of all our efforts! But it will still be tough in Japan and China…as we fight for fourth place in the constructors’ championship. But it’s encouraging and positive.

Muriel: TF1 did a report on Viry and at the end you see Fernando congratulating his mechanics one by one after his victory. Did he congratulate you also?

RF1 Paddock Pass: He did give me a kiss. Don’t be jealous Muriel….He asked me to give you all a kiss too.

RF1 Paddock Pass: Fernando and Nelson area always very close to their mechanics. They always greet them before and after getting in the car and will join them for dinner in the evenings when their schedule allows.

Juandiego : Congratulations Renault F1 for the win. A bit of luck though the race pace was there. I am sure it is ridiculous but there are people on F1 forums suggesting Nelsinho crashed on purpose to favour Alonso's chances. Have you anything to comment about it?

RF1 Paddock Pass : It's just ridiculous!
The team would never takes a risk like that!
And to be honest we had a lot of luck in Singapore... OK Nelson crashed but Fernando's win was not all about that Safety Car... MAS bad pit stop helped us as well... as RAI getting stuck behind his team mate... so it's just ridiculous to think we did ask Nelson to crash!

Passion: Why are we talking of a comeback, Renault is already there!! And the results are still improving – after the rain you always have the sun shine! We should remain confident, but we live for the great moments like those we had at the weekend.

Fabienzo: Hello everybody! First of all, congratulations to the whole team. A superb Grand Prix. RF1PP, this morning the radio suggested that Sebastien Bourdais could join us next year. Is that true? And could you give us some information on next year. Thanks in advance!

RF1 Paddock Pass: You should treat what you read or hear with caution. They are all missing information for 2009 and so they sometimes make up rumours and other gossip like this. When we have more information to give on 2009, you will find out. If we don’t say anything for the moment, nothing is decided.

Ruiletta: To be honest it would be cool if Seb rejoined the team. That said, this sort of speculation is normal at this point of the season. The journalists are basically just giving us their theories.

User-21: How do you explain the performance of the R28 when this is a circuit that requires lots of traction, which has been a constant problem of the R28?

RF1 Paddock Pass: Perhaps this is a sign of the progress that the team has made…Fernando said that the car had never had so much grip, never had such traction, and I’m telling you about what he said over the radio, to the team, not what he said to the journalists.

User-21: ah! Very interesting!

RF1 Paddock Pass: I think on that note, RF1PP will head off to bed, I may have remained on European time, but it was still hard work.

RF1 supporter: It was a very physically demanding race. Will Fernando have recovered in time for the next Grand Prix?

RF1 Paddock Pass: This is what sport is all about. He’ll recover quickly.

Everybody says good night.

RF1 Paddock Pass: Take good care guys, it’s now time to get some rest after this exhausting but so exciting week! Hope to give some good news after Japan!
Next Chat session after Japan, live from Shanghai! Exact time to follow shortly!

Comments

Monday 6 October 2008 at 14:05:32 by amc

Encouraging...but with caution. There's nothing worse than disappointment after getting carried away...but nothing better than enjoying the reality in success!

Monday 6 October 2008 at 14:38:50 by clemo

Just wanted to say a BIG thank you to RF1pp for how well we are looked after on this, the english speaking side of RF1; armed with nothing more than google page translator i made a trip over to the french side of the site....wow! we have 50 comments ...they have 1000+

so thank you RF1pp for all the time and effort you give us when we are such a small minority of fans.

Monday 6 October 2008 at 15:45:29 by mysmer

Thank you for chosing two of my questions. That was unbelievable.

Now that BMW announced their drivers, it seems like Alonso will stay with this team.
I sense that he doesn't want to learn any more languages. He can speak Spanish, French, English and Italian and that't it. Also he hastes Sushi, too.

Good luck with Fuji GP.
Toma! Toma! Toma!!!

Monday 6 October 2008 at 16:48:28 by Lengskee

hi RF1, great to have my question included in the chat, great answer too!

I liked your answer here RF1=)

RF1 Paddock Pass: Perhaps this is a sign of the progress that the team has made…Fernando said that the car had never had so much grip, never had such traction, and I’m telling you about what he said over the radio, to the team, not what he said to the journalists.

Good LUck this weekend! Lets continue the fire burning.

Monday 6 October 2008 at 19:21:58 by RF1 Paddock Pass

Hi guys, thanks for your kind words - we try our best to look after all the fans of the team and it's nice to know its appreciated.

Monday 6 October 2008 at 20:32:14 by ThePowerOfOne

Much appreciated.
It's a nice new banner up there, by the way. Keep that winning mood alive as long as possible.

Monday 6 October 2008 at 22:36:17 by siberianlady

All I can say is- fantastic Singapore- bring on fuji!

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 12:58:47 by RF1 Paddock Pass

So Singapore is behind us and we’re all concentrating on the next round of the season in Fuji, Japan. Most of the team have now arrived and the cars are on-site at the Fuji Speedway. It’s only the second time that we’ve been to Fuji since the 1970s and so travelling there still lacks familiarity. Mind you, last year’s result here for Heikki means the team is returning to a happy hunting ground and we all have fond memories of the place.

Speaking with Pat Symonds last week, he agreed that going back to Fuji feels like going to a new circuit because last year’s race weekend was almost entirely affected by rain. I think we only got one dry practice session last year and so most of the data we have for the place is from wet running. It’s understandable then that thoughts are already turning to the weather and what we can expect. It’s still a little bit early for a meaningful forecast, but initial reports suggest dry conditions. But I'd take that with a pinch of salt.

We will be bringing you all the atmosphere from Japan, starting on Thursday with a blog and paddock photos.

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 14:39:11 by dilettante

Canadian GP dropped for 2009

http://uk.reuters.com/article/motorSport ...

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 14:58:02 by dilettante

Good news for Renault fans..

"It was further unanimously agreed to allow Formula One teams to equalise engine performance across the field for 2009, pending the introduction of cost-saving measures from 2010,"

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php ...

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 15:21:21 by grip

That absolutely sucks.

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 15:57:54 by Alek

Alonso to stay at Renault !!!

http://www.f1technical.net/news/10680

http://renault_fan.bloger.hr/

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 16:55:50 by amc

well grip, look at it this way; it sucks that F1 is being so homologized and it's always sad when the pinnacle of engineering development is stifled by regulations...but the fact of the matter is Renault are now being disadvantaged because they abided by those regulations to the absolute core even though they were regarded to have the best engine at the time of the freeze. I'm not saying other teams didn't abide, but the fact Renault have had to even lay of engine development staff compared to other teams speaks volumes.

Why should renault be penalised for their honesty and integrity? If the freeze is to be in place, then enforce it to the maximum...and not half heartedly.

If anything, I'm proud of what Renault is achieving while completely sticking to the rules of the game that hadicap them.

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 16:59:54 by amc

oh and what's more is that after 2006 Renault were the hardest hit by cost cutting measures, with michelin leaving due to the one-tyre-supplier rule and an engine freeze when Renault made the best of any team of both factors - it's about time a rule change went Renault's way.

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 17:25:56 by Tony

Well amc I have to agree with you. Obviously for grip and all the Canadian fans the cancelling of the Canadian Grand Prix must hurt. Just think if your one and only countries GP was cancelled.

The really good news is that Renault have at long last had the engine restrictions lifted and hopefully have time, full knowledge of the technical changes that need to be made to show an improvment with the engine and of course the manpower to do the work. A big task in such a short time span.

What I did not like reading was that the WMSC has given Max Mosley 'the perve', the overseeing of the FOTA and any changes which they would like to see made. If the two sides cannot agree then Mosley can impose changes. Democracy at its best.

Although I see a good 2009 season just ahead I also see manufacturers coming to blows with the FIA and going their own way and starting a Grand Prix style formula away from the grips of the FIA.

Anyone else think the same as I do ????

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 17:32:02 by dilettante

I'll be missing the wall of champions (
all we are left is with city-street circuits and Tikke tracks (long strights and slow corners) (Fuji)
No Montereal, no Silverstone, no Suzuka...what next? SPA?

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 18:31:36 by f1angel

OMG! I lost the USGP and now I lost Canada! Unbelievable! So much for F1 as a global sport!

I was planning on attending next year's event after I had such an amazing time there, but now, I guess I'm not attending any gp's next year!

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 18:46:32 by MO1023

dilettante, Suzuka will be back, i think i read somewhere it swaps with Fuji on the calendar each year

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 18:46:40 by amc

oooooooh...was grip talking about the Canadian GP? Im so sorry...I didn't realise...

I thought the response was to the other FIA changes.

Obviously its sad to see Canada go...I wasn't a big fan of Indy (sorry to American fans...but to be honest, not a huge fan of the British GP, even though its the spirital home of F1) but I did like Montreal.

I think venues will come and go; its inevitable...just look at the French Grand Prix. Never say never!!

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 21:17:49 by Rulietta

Oh God, amc, don't say that about the French GP lol. I couldn't liiiive without a French GP (overreacting here but well...). But more seriously, like Great Britain, France is sort of an inevitable stop for F1, in Magny-Cours or somewhere else. There are loads of projects for a new French Grand-Prix, so hopefully it won't be off the calendar, even for a season.
I don't know if I'll miss Magny-Cours as such though. I am myself from Burgundy and it was kind of practical because not far from my home, but pfffiou... all the cows and tiny roads and cross-roads and more cows. Yeah I won't miss that.

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 22:04:09 by f1angel

amc, I wasn't too crazy about the track at Indy myself.

I only attended the USGP because it was close to Chicago and I only had to drive about 3 1/2 hrs to Indy.

I really am going to miss Montreal! When I went there this year for the first time, the city itself is just beautiful. Arriving at the track, I was just impressed! Of course I had to do one hell of a long walk from the entrance to my seats, but it was well worth it!

This latest move just showed the fans, at least in my opinion that the FIA doesn't give a damn about the fans at all! Of course I know that it's business and it's about $$$, but they have to take under consideration the fans because lets face it: without us, they would be nothing!

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 22:47:15 by adam20692

saw something interesting in f1live saying that there are plans for an equalization of the engines for 2009 http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/ne ...

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 22:47:57 by adam20692

ups wrong story sorry lol http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/ne ... thats the proper one

Tuesday 7 October 2008 at 23:06:15 by AlwaysProst

Absolutely adam20692, I read the same at Autosport.com.
It seems that was what Fernando had asked for to stay at Renault.<br>
<b>RF1PP, does that mean that the development of the engine can proceed now?</b>

Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 01:01:38 by goblin321

its a shame that there wont be any GPs in 09 in North America... and what frustrates me is the fact that there is no explanation as to why all of a sudden they decided to axe Montreal GP

Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 02:44:46 by grip

@amc the way I understood the regulations, Renault had to challenge the changes that Ferrari made. They didn't so they were accepted. Although I don't disagree with you, Renault has some blame in this. They were asleep at the switch.

And wha tthat this have to do withthe GPC ? 300 million viewers watch it every Often 1 of the top 10 viewed events (not races events). Up there with the superbowl

Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 02:47:15 by grip

Sorry AMC I responded before I finished reading

Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 02:50:22 by grip

I'm not sure the GPC is completely dead. We'll see what explanation the organizers get from the FIA. It seems that everyone is surprised by this. No rumors nothing.

Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 05:00:15 by goblin321

@grip: as i understand the engine freeze rules... teams submit requests for changes in engines due to reliability issues and those requests are made public to all teams "only" if the request is rejected so as others would know the reasons for rejecting.. it doesn't get public if FIA accepts the request so i dont think Renault is to blame here... i only think that Renault did the right thing by keeping up with the spirit of the engine freeze and they definitely do not deserve to be penalized for being honest
please correct me if i m wrong

Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 09:26:34 by JR2008

Good morning all.
http://www.as.com/motor/articulo/formula ...
Open the engines for 2009 . Great news for Renault. Next season we will have the best pilot, the best engine, the best team and of course we will be the best again.
Saludos
Saludos

Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 10:11:31 by Cagnazzo

JR2008. What this article say? Could you be kind to translate for us non spanish speaking fans? Many thanks, Saludos

Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 14:05:31 by f1angel

I just read in regards to the loss of the Canadian GP that the organizers were given no warning or a reason to remove the race from the calendar!

The organizers heard about it through the tv and the internet!

Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 15:34:00 by JR2008

Hi Cagnazzo
This is the most important thing of tha last post of the FIA:
"It was further unanimously agreed to allow Formula One teams to equalise engine performance across the field for 2009."
Saludos

Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 15:58:47 by alpha

Records and achievements

* Youngest World Champion: 24 years, 59 days in 2005
* Youngest double World Champion: 25 years, 85 days in 2006
* Youngest driver and least number of races to score 500 points at the 2008 French Grand Prix

* Second youngest driver to start from pole position: 21 years, 237 days at the 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix (behind Sebastian Vettel: 21 years 74 days)

* Second youngest driver to score a podium finish: 21 years, 237 days at the 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix (behind Sebastian Vettel: 21 years 74 days)

* Second youngest winner: 22 years, 26 days at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix (behind Sebastian Vettel: 21 years 74 days)
* Second youngest driver to set fastest lap: 21 years, 321 days at the 2003 Canadian Grand Prix (behind Nico Rosberg: 20 years, 258 days)

* Second driver (after Michael Schumacher) to score 100 or more points for three consecutive seasons (in 2005, 2006 and 2007)

* Second highest number of podium positions in a season: 15 in 2005 (behind Michael Schumacher: 17 in 2002)

* Second highest number of consecutive podium positions: 15 in 2005-2006 (behind Michael Schumacher: 19 in 2001-2002)

* Third youngest driver to start from the front row of the grid: 21 years, 237 days at the 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix (behind Ricardo Rodríguez: 19 years, 208 days)

* Third highest points total in one season: 134 in 2006 (behind Michael Schumacher: 148 in 2004 and 144 in 2002)

* Third youngest to start a race at 19 years, 218 days at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix (behind Mike Thackwell: 19 years, 182 days and Ricardo Rodríguez: 19 years, 208 days)

* Winner of the first F1 GP held at night (2008 Singapore Grand Prix).

* Winner of the 800th Grand Prix (2008 Singapore Grand Prix).

Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 19:21:20 by alonso

Alonso stay Renault?

Thursday 9 October 2008 at 00:50:20 by amc

great stats alpha...some of them I wasn't even aware of.

I've thought it pointless to post properly on this blog now as hopefully we're due to get one tomorrow/today (in local Fuji time!)....so see y'all tomorrow.

This might not be the heights of singapore for Renault, but curious to know what performance is truly like.