Spanish GP: Renault race notes

Third and fourth for Renault as the team reinforces second in the championship with best performance of the year so far.

The Mild Seven Renault F1 Team scored its best result of the 2004 season, and its second podium of the year, when Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso finished third and fourth in today's Spanish Grand Prix. This result reinforces the team's second place in the Constructor's Championship, and Renault now has 42 points, with Jarno and Fernando equal in the drivers' standings.

Jarno Trulli, 3rd:

"First of all, I must congratulate everybody for this podium: my mechanics, my engineers, and the whole team. But above all, I want to dedicate this podium to a very close friend of mine, who is going through a very difficult time: he has a big battle ahead of him, but we will be with him all the way and this trophy is for him."

"As for the race, I made the kind of start you can only dream about but even though Michael was behind, I knew he was faster than me. After my first stop, all I had to do was keep pushing through the race, and I did that until the last stint, when was managing the gap to Fernando. It was a nice sight to see the two Renaults cross the line together today."

Fernando Alonso, 4th:

"Third and fourth is a great result for the team, particularly in terms of the championship because we finished ahead of our main rivals. From my point of view, the race went well: I was stuck in the pack at the start, and it took the first two stints for me to get a clear track so I could begin running at my true pace. Everything went well from then on, although the car did not have very good grip today. Third and fourth is the best the team could have hoped for today."

Flavio Briatore, Managing Director:

"I would like to congratulate the whole team for this result, which has allowed us to reinforce our position in the championship. The team did a fantastic job after a difficult start to the weekend, and the drivers put in faultlessly consistent performances: as soon as Jarno took the lead at the start, we knew he would finish on the podium. Once again, our reliability was perfect and our championship position reflects exactly how important that has been this year."

Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering:

"We scored a magnificent result today, and it is down to the hard work of all our team, here at the circuit and back at our bases in Enstone and Viry-Châtillon. The drivers were irreproachable today - aggressive when they needed to be, consistent, and it is a pleasure to see Jarno score his second podium for the team. As for the race, everything went to plan and honestly, it was quite straightforward for us. Although Jarno led early on, it was clear that the Ferraris were faster than us today but to bring two cars home in the points, right behind us, strengthens our position as the second force in this year's championship."

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