Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Flavio Briatore Q&A

Renault hit the headlines in Malaysia when Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli hogged the front row. Come the race they proved that the cars weren't running silly fuel loads by running to laps 14 and 16 respectively. Alas Jarno was punted off at the second corner by Michael Schumacher, and was thereafter in recovery mode. Gearbox problems and illness contrived to slow Alonso after he'd led in impressive style early on, but he still made the podium. It was an impressive showing for the Anglo-French team. Adam Cooper spoke to team boss Flavio Briatore



"I think we are very honest in this team. We never play games on Saturday. I believe it was a very good fight in the beginning with McLaren, and after that we had an electrical problem with the car of Alonso, and he had to slow down. It was important for us to have a podium, and he did a very good job. Congratulations to McLaren on a very strong race. It was just a shame that Jarno had the accident, and it was a shame for Michael too. It was impossible to have two cars in this corner. Jarno was really in front of him, and sometimes Michael has to use the brakes as well! It was a shame because it destroyed both their races, Michael's race and Jarno's race."



"I think now we need to calm down. He's done a very good job as an F1 driver, he deserves to drive for us and I think he's a very special person for that. Today he had a fever and an electrical problem, and Jarno was very unlucky. I feel very sorry for him, because he really was strong today. But we still have a few races to go."



"I think somebody called us the track cleaners. I think we cleaned very well the track. We cleaned everybody on Saturday! It was good for the team. It was a long time since we were in this position. It was a really good surprise, and a good performance from both drivers. It's better to be in front than behind."



"I was quite surprised about Williams this weekend. McLaren were strong, Ferrari were strong, and sometimes we were there. It's important that when we're there that we take the opportunity. It's the second year of Renault in F1, 100 percent, and it looks like this winter we've done a good job."



"I think the package is very good. We know we need to work hard on the engine, but this is a motivation to do better."



"For us it's important to put points in the bank. Now we have the same points as Ferrari and Williams. I think it's good for us, 16 points. We'll see when everybody is more competitive. We have a lot to come, and I think our car is good. But we need to improve a little bit in the season."



"It's my lucky number there, like it was here. I have two lucky numbers..."



"I'm not telling you!"

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Toyota Close to Fixing Fuel Problem
Next article Ecclestone criticises qualifying format

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe