Fernando Alonso is expecting a more positive performance in this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix, as the Renault driver heads to Asia with four points in his pocket after collecting fixth place in Melbourne. The former double World Champion is satisfied with the car's performance in Australia, but is expecting more of the R29 in Kuala Lumpur.
"As usual, the first race of the year was quite eventful and in the closing stages we were able to take advantage of the incidents to move up into fifth position," Fernando explained. "Although it's nice to have the points, we know that we must work hard to improve the car and we have the belief that we can do that."
The Spaniard is widely viewed as one of, if not the most complete driver in Formula One, with a Schumacher-esque ability to drive every lap of a race on the limit, but he would still like to see an increase in raw pace from the car. "In Australia we struggled in qualifying and our race suffered as a result," he confirmed. "We need to qualify well so that we can have a strong race, by making sure we get the most from our KERS system at the start because there is a long run to the first corner in Malaysia, where it should make a big difference."
Like most, Alonso is also concerned as to whether his tyres will hold up during the race although, with rain expected, the use of two dry compounds will not apply if the Grand Prix is declared a 'wet race'. "Tyres will be particularly important in Malaysia, where the track temperatures will be very high, so we need to see how the tyres perform in these conditions. " he continued. "Sepang is totally different to Melbourne and so I expect our car to be more suited to the circuit; it's a special track for me, as I've won there twice, and is probably my favourite circuit so I always enjoy racing there."
Source:
http://f1.gpupdate.net
"As usual, the first race of the year was quite eventful and in the closing stages we were able to take advantage of the incidents to move up into fifth position," Fernando explained. "Although it's nice to have the points, we know that we must work hard to improve the car and we have the belief that we can do that."
The Spaniard is widely viewed as one of, if not the most complete driver in Formula One, with a Schumacher-esque ability to drive every lap of a race on the limit, but he would still like to see an increase in raw pace from the car. "In Australia we struggled in qualifying and our race suffered as a result," he confirmed. "We need to qualify well so that we can have a strong race, by making sure we get the most from our KERS system at the start because there is a long run to the first corner in Malaysia, where it should make a big difference."
Like most, Alonso is also concerned as to whether his tyres will hold up during the race although, with rain expected, the use of two dry compounds will not apply if the Grand Prix is declared a 'wet race'. "Tyres will be particularly important in Malaysia, where the track temperatures will be very high, so we need to see how the tyres perform in these conditions. " he continued. "Sepang is totally different to Melbourne and so I expect our car to be more suited to the circuit; it's a special track for me, as I've won there twice, and is probably my favourite circuit so I always enjoy racing there."
Source:
http://f1.gpupdate.net