Spanish GP: Renault preview

Renault Driver Preview - Spanish Grand Prix

Mild Seven Renault F1 Team drivers Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button will be looking to maintain their impressive form with another points-scoring finish in the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya this weekend.

Button and Renault sit in fourth position in the Drivers' and Manufacturers' Championships respectively after three successive points-scoring results. The Briton scored fifth place in San Marino two weeks ago and is confident his run of form can continue as he looks to post another top-six finish.

"The results so far this season weren't planned as such, but our level of competitiveness isn't a surprise," Button said. "Overall it was a great result in Imola - we had the right strategy, excellent pit-stops from the team meant it worked perfectly, and I drove one of the best races of my career in F1!

"It is important that we keep the points rolling in for the team throughout the year. One of the real advantages of being in a big, ambitious team is that the car is getting better and better at every race, and we are constantly growing in competitiveness."

Button feels the Renault should allow him to challenge for another points finish in Spain on a circuit he is familiar with from an intensive winter testing programme in Barcelona.

"Testing has gone well at Barcelona and the car will definitely be competitive. I enjoy the circuit: turn three is a place where you can gain time, and really tough on the neck. The last two corners are also good fun."

Italian Trulli has shown real promise in the first four races and is hopeful of scoring his first points in Spain. Although disappointed with his season so far, he is encouraged by the team's level of performance and confident of racing well in Barcelona.

"I have a very good relationship with the team and my engineers - we just need a little luck for the results to come," Trulli said. "The team did an extremely good job in Imola, and Jenson drove a great race to finish in the points.

"It was important for the team to get both cars to the finish for the first time this year. Obviously it was not the result I would have wished for personally, but we have a strong package, a quick car and everything is in place to meet our initial aims."

In spite of the amount of testing all the teams do at Barcelona throughout the year, the challenge of a race weekend at the circuit remains the same.

He adds: "We test there all the time but there is no advantage because everyone knows the circuit well. Some of the drivers may find it boring, but I don't feel that - every time I drive the car, I enjoy it.

"During the race weekend, we must make the most of our package and I must perform to my maximum. The changeable track conditions can sometimes be difficult, but testing certainly helps with that and overall we are well prepared."

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