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#126754
From autosport.com:

By Pablo Elizalde Monday, June 15th 2009, 10:12 GMT

Fernando Alonso says he still has faith in his Renault team despite the French outfit's disappointing first part of the 2009 season.

Alonso has scored just 11 points in seven races and is already 50 behind championship leader Jenson Button as his R29 car has not proved competitive enough to fight near the top.

The two-time champion, however, says he still trusts Renault can improve the situation, although he is realistic about what can be done this year.

"I have a lot of faith in this team and I know that everybody is working hard to improve our situation," said Alonso.

"We've been together a long time and have shown before that we never give up.

"But we need to be realistic because all the other teams are pushing just as hard to develop their cars and so it's not easy to take a big step forward.

"We just need to keep adding parts at each race to make sure we can fight for points and hopefully podiums on a regular basis."

Renault's technical director Bob Bell says the team's capacity to react quickly is a good omen for the rest of the season.

"We are reacting and one of the things that we've done well this year is to get the new developments on the car as quickly as possible," said Bell.

"The twin-diffuser was a good example of that as such components normally take up to fifteen weeks to introduce, but we cut that down to five weeks, which was a tremendous credit to the team.

"We will continue to react quickly and when we find a development that brings the desired result, we will do everything in our power to get it on the car as soon as possible."

Bell revealed the team will have a few new updates for the British Grand Prix this weekend, and he is hopeful they will help Renault take a significant step forward.

"We have a development to the diffuser, which is a reasonable step forward, as well as an upgrade to the front wing package. We explored some developments to the front wing in Turkey and will be running it again in Silverstone with further enhancements that we believe will improve the car.

"We also have some mechanical changes, more to do with functionality than performance, but they're still important and should help us."


Mixed messages from Alonso: one week he says Renault suck and the promises of updates are false, and the next he says Renault are saying success is on the horizon...
#126760
Alonso is being wasted at Renault, and I think Piquet is doing nothing to help the team, especially development-wise. Whilst Alonso is very smart and has his "six tenths" claim, I think the team were better off with both him and Fisichella helping develop the car. That's one of the reasons why Brawn are running away with the Championship, their driver line-up is the most experienced in the field.

Renault are going backwards in my opinion, the car is only getting into Q3 because of Alonso alone, he could probably even get a Force India into Q3! Now BMW are starting to head back up the field again, getting into Q3 will be even tougher for Alonso.

Whether Alonso stays at Renault next year though is more dependent on if Renault stay in F1 for next year, and not based on results.
#126761
Hmm, put it this way, he's scored more points this season than he had at this stage last season... Alonso is the last person i'd write off!
#126799
I think Alonso should be applauded for being critical when he needs to be. Other drivers aren't allowed to say what they feel. He is sailing on a sinking ship atm.
#126880
I think Alonso should be applauded for being critical when he needs to be. Other drivers aren't allowed to say what they feel. He is sailing on a sinking ship atm.



Aye. Such a waste of talent. It is fun listening to the announcers at speed fawn all over him when he drags that renault tractor into Q3 though.
#126905
I think Alonso should be applauded for being critical when he needs to be. Other drivers aren't allowed to say what they feel. He is sailing on a sinking ship atm.



Aye. Such a waste of talent. It is fun listening to the announcers at speed fawn all over him when he drags that renault tractor into Q3 though.


Totally agree, he does do a fantastic job of that Renault, not what can be said for his teammate though, even though I know you would all hate this but if only Alonso and Hammy patched l this crap up then just maybe he should return to McLaren? Otherwise the only boat I can see that would make him the star he wants to be again, with the media attention and all the Tifosi and alonsomania co-joining, would be the Ferrari team!
#126918
If Alonso is to win a race this year it will only be because other teams decide to write off this season and Renault keep developing their car to the very end.

The R29 though is a poor car. It's out of the box pace was terrible, Renault did a great job to get it up to speed when the season started but you can only polish a turd so much. Creeping into the points is the only realistic target Alonso can have at the min. :(
#126921
If Alonso is to win a race this year it will only be because other teams decide to write off this season and Renault keep developing their car to the very end.

The R29 though is a poor car. It's out of the box pace was terrible, Renault did a great job to get it up to speed when the season started but you can only polish a turd so much. Creeping into the points is the only realistic target Alonso can have at the min. :(


i think Renault have done the best they can, I think he needs a new boat. A Red one will suit mighty nice ;)
#126984
I think Alonso should be applauded for being critical when he needs to be. Other drivers aren't allowed to say what they feel. He is sailing on a sinking ship atm.

Alonso is hedging his bets. He criticises Renault one week, and praises them the next. Either Renault are a bunch of no-hopers or have prospects of success.

Totally agree, he does do a fantastic job of that Renault, not what can be said for his teammate though, even though I know you would all hate this but if only Alonso and Hammy patched l this crap up then just maybe he should return to McLaren? Otherwise the only boat I can see that would make him the star he wants to be again, with the media attention and all the Tifosi and alonsomania co-joining, would be the Ferrari team!

I wouldn't mind seeing Alonso back at McLaren, but only as long as he gets no special status. However, I don't think Alonso would be willing to join under those terms.
#126987
Alonso is a very talented driver; that is in no doubt but I thought his attitude at McLaren sucked especially screwing over McLaren (spygate) because he was being beaten on equal terms by his rookie team mate. Alonso got too used to being given preferential treatment as #1 driver at Renault. I'll be surprised to see Alonso in a yellow and blue car next year unless Ferrari drastically change their livery! A return to McLaren for Alonso is about as likely as me winning the lottery!
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