Renault working with Red BullThe engineer in charge of the partnership with Red Bull Racing, Fabrice Lom, talks about the team’s North American campaign.
Fabrice, what were the key points to retain from the Canadian and USA Grand Prix?
"Engine-wise, we didn’t
run into any problems in these two races which is very positive. The circuits were very hard on the V8s and we had to adapt them accordingly, but everything went well. To sum up: after seven races I think that Red Bull Racing is better than its direct rivals, Toyota and Williams. Reliability is also less of a problem. In addition, we didn’t come home empty-handed from these two events! There’s still work to be done but we’re making good progress."
You’ve made up a lot of ground since the winter...
"It’s true. Before the first race we were neither quick not reliable, and since then the team has done an enormous amount of work to turn things around. Today, we have at least one of our cars in the top ten in qualifying, and we’re always in a position to score points if they finish. What’s more we’re not far off the teams fighting for fourth place. It’s all very positive.”
In this part of the field, the battle is really fierce...
"Yes. Renault and BMW are clearly ahead of us, and will certainly finish in third and fourth place overall. But behind, in the battle for fifth each point scored is worth its weight in gold."
Do you think that between now and the end of the season, you’ll be able to slug it out with BMW and Renault?
"It’s on the cards. On some circuits we’re already very close. In Barcelona, for example, we were not far behind the BMWs. On a few occasions we can be the no.3 team. What we’re still lacking, though, is the consistency and capacity to maintain the same level of performance from one grand prix to the next."
Will the race at Magny-Cours next weekend be considered as a grand prix on home turf for Red Bull Racing?
"I really hope so. A few years ago this was a very British team and its relationship with the French was a bit edgy. All that’s been forgotten since Red Bull Racing has been working with Renault. We have a good relationship, and we’re determined to come up with a top-level performance at Magny-Cours. It’ll not only please the Renault engineers but also the whole team."
Source Renault
