Italian GP - Renault - PreviewHeikki Kovalainen's sixth position last time out in Turkey moves him seventh in the championship standings on 19 points, two clear of team-mate
Giancarlo Fisichella who was unable to recover from a first turn incident with countryman Jarno
Trulli. Heading to Monza, both are hopeful of adding to their points tally.
Heikki Kovalainen - You put in a strong drive in Turkey…
"Yes, it was. We did a very good job all weekend with the team, and it paid off because we brought home three points. Of course, we all want to be capable of more, but it was important to get the maximum out of the car at the last race. We managed to do it, so that’s a genuine reason to be pleased. It was a good race for me, chasing down Lewis in the final laps, and hopefully I can keep up the momentum in Italy."
Monza is a very unusual circuit. Do you enjoy driving here?
"I think it is a very exciting race, because of the layout and also the atmosphere. This is a special weekend in the F1 season. The circuit is very fast, you run very light downforce and the drivers need to maintain total concentration throughout. You often see quite dramatic races here as well, and the Ferrari supporters will be out in force this weekend to cheer on their team. Our goal will be to put on a strong performance for the fans who are supporting us out in the stands too.
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What is the impact of the low downforce levels?
"It is very demanding for the drivers and the teams. The car feels very “light” to drive, and slides very easily in the corners. Lesmo 1 and Lesmo 2 are particularly tricky, because you take them in 4th gear at high speed and when the tyres are already a bit worn, like in race conditions, it is very difficult to control the car. Those are the unique challenges Monza offers."
What will be the keys to a strong performance?
"Monza is a high-speed circuit, and it goes without saying that good top speed is essential. But I think it will be even more important to concentrate on the corner exit, so we can put the power down as soon as possible without sliding and losing time… We looked at these areas during the test and collected lots of data, which we will use to build our programme for Friday practice. We want to show once again that we are making progress, just like we did in Istanbul."
Giancarlo Fisichella - Turkey was a tough race – but you still pushed all the way to the flag…
"I really lost out in the incident at the first corner. I could easily have scored points, and that makes it all the more frustrating to finish in ninth position. But you have to put that behind you and look forward. There are still five races to go, and each one will be important for the team and myself. We are totally focused on the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, which will be a very special race for me."
What does it mean to compete in your home race?
"It means even more because this is the only race in Italy this season, because we haven’t been to Imola! I have always enjoyed racing at Monza, ever since I won here in Formula 3. I got on the podium in 2005 as well, the first Italian to do that since Alboreto. It is a challenging circuit for the drivers, and I have some good memories, so I am looking forward to seeing what we can do this year."
Does competing in your home race bring extra pressure?
"Not really, in actual fact I would say it’s the opposite because it pushes you to give even more effort because you are racing in front of your people, with friends and family watching on too!"
How will the R27 perform this weekend?
"We have been working hard to ensure the car can be competitive. Our test last week was spent preparing for the race, even though bad weather on Thursday restricted our running. Like the other teams, we have a specific, new aerodynamic package for this race, which is adapted to the specific demands of the circuit. We know that our engine is strong too, but even though we have tested here recently, it will still be important to make good use of practice to fine-tune the car, and find the right compromise for qualifying and the race."
Source Renault
