Q & A with Renault's Pat Symonds

Conducted and provided by the RenaultF1 team's press office.

Q. Pat, Saturday was dominated by the spectacle of cars going deliberately slowly in first qualifying - what was your view of that?

Pat Symonds:

With the way the rules are at the moment, we have been using pre-qualifying tactically throughout the year. Generally, this is not very obvious, but our fuel load in the first session and our target lap time are always aimed to maximise our potential in the qualifying session proper. The threat of rain yesterday afternoon took this to extremes, and we saw many teams trying to out-psyche each other and obtain early qualifying slots for the second session. While to the casual this may have seemed farcical, it was brought about by the framework of the current rules and in that context, was a legitimate tactical technique.

Q. In the end, how pleased were you with the drivers' performance in qualifying?

PS:

We saw a good battle develop in qualifying and, of course, the weather remained dry. Jarno's lap was once again exceptionally good, and his fifth place fits very well with our strategy. Fernando did all that was asked of him to take a short-lived sixth place, but unfortunately the engine failure he suffered in the morning will drop him ten places. He will have a tough job in the race but we have seen in the past that if anyone can fight through the field, it is him.

Q. Finally, what strategy options can we expect to see used during the race?

PS:

Silverstone generally produces a two-stop race and those choosing this option are likely to stop for the first time around lap 12, and again at about two thirds distance. However, the qualifying times and the gaps between team-mates would appear to indicate that two stops are not the only option that has been taken. Those who have decided on three stops will probably visit the pits for the first time around lap 9 or 10, and then in the mid to late 20s and mid 40s for the final time. However, there remains the ever-present threat of short showers. If they occur, they will certainly have a greater influence on the result than any mathematically-constructed strategies.