Malaysian GP: Renault Saturday qualifying notes

Pole position for Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso:

"First of all, a big thank you to the whole team for helping Jarno and myself to get this fantastic first and second positions on the grid. I have still not completely realised that today I have my first pole position, just at the second race of the season. I am simply delighted and very confident that tomorrow we can finish well this special weekend, scoring more points for the team."

Jarno Trulli:

"I am extremely happy for this excellent result today for me and Fernando. It's a pleasant surprise to see how well our car performed today. It feels great to be in front of the top teams: this means that we have taken the right direction, improving day by day and that we are finally getting good results for all our efforts and the team's hard work."

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director, Mild Seven Renault F1 Team:

"We had an excellent qualifying session. It was very exciting for the whole team. Both drivers were absolutely perfect on their flying laps. We expected our car to be more competitive here than two weeks ago in Melbourne, but honestly we didn't go out thinking of getting the pole. We are very pleased and confident for tomorrow."

Denis Chevrier, Engine Operations Manager, Mild Seven Renault F1 Team

"We are more than satisfied to have placed both cars on the first row of the starting grid. This result confirms the good level of our performance and the quality of our drivers and the excellent job the team has done in recent weeks. We didn't have any mechanical problems today and we are very optimistic for the race."

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