Q & A with Renault's Fabrice Lom

Q. Fabrice, what was your assessment of the race in Turkey?

Fabrice Lom, Principal Engineer, Red Bull Racing Trackside Engine Support: It is not going to be remembered as one of our better races. We thought we had found a good level of reliability in the previous races, however it let us down again in Istanbul.

In terms of performance, we are in a good position. But the competition is very tight in the midfield, and there are tiny differences between a strong and average position.

Q. Monza will be a special race, and a genuine challenge for the engine team...

FL: The circuit requires a unique set-up, and good reliability from the engine. With a slippery aero package and a strong engine, you can have a competitive race in Monza. The chassis team will also focus on ensuring good ride, so the drivers can use the kerbs without losing too much time.

For the engines, the challenge isn't just the Italian Grand Prix - but the pairing of Monza and Spa, which is the most demanding of the whole year. So we are preparing for two intense weeks!

Q. The team needs a good race in Italy, to try and catch Williams in the standings...

FL: Absolutely. It is not over yet, and we will be aiming to our maximum once again in Italy. Mark will have a new engine, while David will be doing the second race with his V8... That is not a worry at this stage of the season, as we know the engine well, and we tested extensively in Monza last week.