Fisichella, in stark contrast, has only scored once in the last seven outings, as his season has nose-dived to almost the same extent that Kovalainen’s has flourished. The Italian – who may be beginning his last race for the
régie this weekend should
Fernando Alonso indeed return to the squad – is well aware he needs a good showing to preserve his
F1 future.
“This is one of the special circuits in
Formula 1,” the 34-year-old enthused, “and I am really excited to be going back there again. We have won championships there in the past two years, and for me it was the venue for my first-ever F1 win in 2003.
“It’s a very challenging circuit. It’s twisty, with a good mix of slow and medium-speed corners. There is a lot of gradient change as well, and of course the anti-clockwise direction makes it hard physically. It is never easy to find the right set-up, because the two halves of the circuit need opposite things from the car – you want good speed on the long main straight, but lots of grip in the slow-speed infield section with the hairpins. Add in the bumpy surface as well, and you have a real challenge for the engineers to find the best compromise.
“I enjoy the country, I enjoy the city and I like the circuit – there is always an amazing atmosphere there. Hopefully we can have another good experience in 2007.”
Renault registered both pole position and race victory in Brazil back in 1980, and two years later Alain Prost achieved the rare ‘triple crown’ of pole, race win and fastest lap. From 1992 to 1997 Renault engines would be unmoved from pole position in Interlagos, and with six triumphs, 20 podium finishes and eleven pole positions in the country, team chief Flavio Briatore knows the French outfit has a proud tradition to maintain this weekend as it bids to set itself up for a far more successful 2008.
