Montagny ready to learn with Renault

Franck Montagny has been named as the Renault F1 Team's third driver next year. He is thrilled by the reward for this year's hard work, and explained how his life will change as a result. Q: Franck, what were your feelings when you learned that ...

Franck Montagny has been named as the Renault F1 Team's third driver next year. He is thrilled by the reward for this year's hard work, and explained how his life will change as a result.

Q: Franck, what were your feelings when you learned that the team would be announcing you as the third driver for 2004?

Franck Montagny.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

FM: I was extremely happy. This decision means that my work this year hasn't been for nothing. Of course, the amount of seat time I have had was limited by the team's decision to opt for the Heathrow Agreement, but I did my best to learn, and make no mistakes each time I got in the car. Now, I will be able to learn even more. The real thing you need in Formula 1 is modesty, and to realise you never stop learning.

Q: For a driver, it must be a big advantage to know the team has faith in you?

FM: In my case, yes. I need to feel at home in a team, and to know that the engineers and mechanics are on my side. When I started working with Renault, I needed some time to break the ice, just like you would in any job. Now, everything feels much more natural. During testing at Barcelona, before the US Grand Prix, the team congratulated me on the progress I had made. For me, though, it felt as though I was driving like I always do. But because I know everybody now, my feedback was becoming fuller and more precise.

Q: What are the next steps for you?

FM: I will drop by the factory several times this winter, and then testing begins before the start of the new season. That will be an important period, because we will be testing with, or for, the R24.

Q: What effect do you think this new role will have on your career?

FM: To break into F1 with Renault is a real privilege. This team knows what it needs to win, and everything I learn with them will be valuable. What's more, I will be travelling to all the races next season, so my experience at the races will be much more intense. I will carry on learning on the technical side, and that is crucial in F1 nowadays. The experience I gain will be critical to my future.