Renault development continuing

Denis Chevrier, the Renault F1 Team's Head of Engine Operations, explains why development must never stop -- if you want to be on pole halfway through the season.

Q: Denis, are you pleased with the weekend so far?

Denis Chevrier: Yes, absolutely. We are very pleased with our levels of performance, and things are looking good: one car is starting from the front, and the other will be able to fight for the podium. We still need to watch out for the strategies other cars are running, but we are in a strong position.

Q: Fernando's (qualifying) lap was impressive...

DC: Fernando put in an outstanding lap. It's just one proof that everybody in the team is very motivated. We have only just reached mid-season, and nothing is fixed yet: we are in a good position for the championship, but we can't let up the pressure. Every race, every qualifying session and every test are important.

Q: What kind of satisfaction do you get from a performance like Saturday?

DC: I think that, for a team like Renault, to take pole position in the first race of the year, and do so again halfway through the season, is a reason to be proud. It proves that our development is continuing, and that we are still pushing hard.

Q: What are your aims for the race?

DC: We will certainly have to deal with hotter conditions, but that won't be a problem. We also need to be able to react to any unpredictable situations, like a safety car or something else. What we want above all is that the first race for our C spec engine turns out to be a successful one!

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