Canadian GP: Renault race notes

The Mild Seven Renault F1 Team leaves Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with contrasting results at the end of the Canadian Grand Prix. While Jarno Trulli was forced to retire because of damage sustained in a collision with Antonio Pizzonia at the start of the race, Fernando Alonso finished fourth at the end of a thrilling race, during which he also set fastest lap, with a time of 1:16.040 on lap 53.

Fernando Alonso, 4th:

"I'm happy with the result, especially because I finished the race in the leading group. For the first time this year, we were really fighting for the win, and it was a good feeling! I lost some time during my first stint, but managed to catch it up again at the end, even though I could not get past the cars in front. It has been a very positive weekend, and I particularly want to thank the team because I didn't have a single problem with the car all weekend. We go to the next race in a strong position in the Constructors' and the Driver's Championships."

Jarno Trulli, retired, lap 26:

"To put it simply, nothing went right for me today. At the start I seemed to find a lot of traffic on the run to the first corner, then Pizzonia hit the rear of my car in the second hairpin on lap two, which punctured the tyre. After that, I was having trouble controlling the car and I pitted a second time, where the Team identified a broken left front wheel. When I got back out on the circuit, I spun on the exit of Turn 10 with a traction control problem, and then had to retire because of the damage sustained in the collision. To say it was a bad day for me would be quite an understatement."

Flavio Briatore, Managing Director:

"To finish just barely two seconds from the winner is an incredible result for Fernando. We had good pit-stops today and the whole Team, both on the engine and the chassis sides, did a fantastic job. We are pleased to have strengthened our fourth position in the Constructors' Championship, and for Fernando to have confirmed his third place in the Driver's."

Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering:

"After such a fantastic race, it is frustrating not to finish on the podium, but that does not detract from a fantastic result. Fernando drove impeccably, and the car and tyres were faultless. It is unfortunate that Jarno was unable to join his team-mate at the end of the race, but the damage sustained in his collision in the opening laps affected his car, eventually causing his retirement."

Denis Chevrier, Engine Operations Manager:

"From a sporting perspective, it was an extraordinary race for Fernando, who drove brilliantly throughout. On a circuit which we didn't expect to favour us, we showed ourselves capable of placing at least one of our drivers amongst the leaders. On the technical side, we saw one of our cars run without any problems, while the other suffered problems from the grid onwards. Notwithstanding this, the real motive for satisfaction at the halfway stage of the season is to have confirmed our status as legitimate challengers for race wins."

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