US GP: Renault race notes

The Mild Seven Renault F1 Team scored five additional World Championship points this afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but variable conditions, driver errors and reliability problems combined to leave an overall feeling of disappointment.

The result is all the more frustrating because during the weekend, the car demonstrated itself sufficiently fast to have fought for the victory.

Nonetheless, Jarno Trulli's fourth place finish, from tenth on the grid, is the result of the attacking race he had promised yesterday after qualifying. Ninth after the first lap, he pushed to the limit throughout the race and, during the final twenty laps on a completely dry track, he was the quickest driver on the circuit.

Fernando Alonso retired on lap 46 following an engine failure, the cause of which is not currently known. He had climbed as high as third during the race, and was running seventh when the engine failed.

Jarno Trulli, 4th

"The car became more and more competitive during the race and, towards the end, it was really fantastic. The conditions made things more complicated today, but as a driver, you need to attack whatever the conditions, and that is what I did today. We were quick in both the dry and the wet, but I think the real damage was done by my mistake in the warm-up yesterday. I should have got pole yesterday and, had I done so, we could have looked for a much better result. I'm pleased with the performance today, but it could have been better."

Fernando Alonso, retired, lap 46 (engine)

"It's only the fourth time I have retired this year, but it is particularly frustrating because, with Ralf and Rubens both going out as well, I could have taken fourth place in the championship. We were competitive today, but I still wasn't happy with the car: it has been difficult to drive since the start of the weekend. We now have to look towards Suzuka, which should suit our package well."

Flavio Briatore, Managing Director:

"Jarno drove an impressive race, and his lap-times right up until the finish demonstrated our real level of competitiveness this weekend. In view of that, we can only be disappointed to get a single car to the finish in fourth place. We will now work hard to get the best from our package in Japan, and finish the season on a high."

Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering:

"Today was not so much about strategy in the normal sense, but rather about trying to make the right decision at the right time. Things were difficult for us when the track was wet but in dry conditions, our cars were extremely quick and a fully dry race should have brought a more satisfying result."

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