Post-Race Q&A with Denis Chevrier

12/06/2006

The team’s head of trackside engine operations talks about the Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Denis, Fernando took pole position, Renault led all 60 laps, and got the race win. Could we say that some wins are easier than others?
Denis Chevrier: I don’t think it’s right to say they are easier, but certainly some are more impressive. We can say we had a perfect weekend with a fantastic car-tyre-set-up solution. Fernando gave a real lesson in race driving, we made the most of our package in race conditions, and no incidents disrupted our race. It was really spot on.

Was getting pole on Saturday the important part of the weekend?
DC: I would even say it was the fundamental element, because you have to remember that Fernando did a very quick lap with more fuel onboard than his rivals. In the race, we had all the ingredients to make it work, and that’s what makes a win even sweeter.

The Renault F1 Team has scored some big psychological points this weekend. Do you think you now have a mental advantage?
DC: I don’t think there really is a psychological battle, With the experience and maturity of the teams involved, be it Ferrari or ourselves, we now that we will stand or fall by the steps forward we can take. If we don’t win a race, then we cannot lose heart because we know we need to win at the next event. Looking at the points, we had an advantage after 7 races, after 8 we are a little further ahead, a little bit more comfortable.

Since the start of the year, the Renault F1 Team has struck an excellent balance between performance and reliability. Are you particularly proud of it?
DC: Yes, and we should be proud of it and enjoy it – but not be distracted by our record so far. We have a small advantage at the moment, but it’s still a fragile one, and we could lose it with a few small mistakes. The thing I am proudest of at the moment, is that we haven’t wasted our opportunities; we have been quick at every race, and that’s what makes the difference over the course of a championship.