Fisichella optimistic for Monaco

Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella finished a frustrated fifth in Barcelona -- but he is already upbeat about the next race, in Monte-Carlo.

Q: Fisico, how do you feel after yesterday's fifth-place finish at the Circuit de Catalunya?

Giancarlo Fisichella.

Photo by LAT Photographic.

Giancarlo Fisichella: To be honest, it is a bit of a shame to be just fifth because I think second was there for the taking. I had a good strategy, running long in the first stint in order to jump ahead of the Toyotas, the set-up was perfect and I drove really well. We had a problem with the car in the middle of the race when I was running second, and that definitely cost me a podium finish. But I attacked all the way to the end -- and managed to set fastest lap. I think that showed what I could have done today.

Q: We also saw you pass Mark Webber's Williams out on track -- how did that feel?

GF: It was a good manoeuvre from my point of view, and brought me an extra point as well, so I was really pleased with it. I could see that I was much faster than him over the whole lap, so it was a question of finding the right time to get a run through turn 13 and to be in the tow on the straight. I was a few kph quicker as well, so I just did a clean move and got him into Turn 1. I had been down in eleventh after my stop, so it was good to get back to fifth.

Q: The next race is Monaco, where it will be important to run late in the qualifying session, and you are well placed now...

GF: Yes, I knew that would be important this weekend. In Monaco, the track picks up so much grip that you need to be in the last five in Saturday qualifying, I think. Yesterday's finish means I have achieved that, so I am in a good position at the moment. Monaco is one of my favourite circuits, and I have always been quick there. The car is fantastic, and Renault were very fast in Monte-Carlo last year. Let's say I am very optimistic for that race. We can do well there.

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