Singapore GP: Friday Press Conference

23/09/2011

Bob, first of all, what happened to Paul di Resta today?
Robert Fernley: We had a problem with the brakes, the machining of the brakes and the hydraulics. Paul has a lot of steel, he'll bounce back tomorrow.

Obviously the performances are improving and Vijay Mallya has emphasised that. The thing is carrying it through to next year. That is the task isn't it?
RF: Well, I think next year is a completely different programme. What we had to do at the beginning of this year was to take a step backwards in order to understand where we lost our way at the end of 2010 and what you see now is the evolution of all that work coming through. Obviously with the change of regulations with the blown floors next year is a completely different ballpark.

Have you already started work on next year? When are you finishing development on this year's.
RF: We started work on next year's some time ago. This is probably the last major upgrade that we will do for the 2011 car.

And the battle with Sauber?
RF: Very hard. They are very competitive. They are not going to give in easily, so we will have to work as hard as we can.

Is that something you look forward to?
RF: Yes, very much so. They are a good team, working hard. I mean all the teams in all fairness in that midfield area are incredibly competitive and we are going to have to work very, very hard to hold onto sixth place. Sam managed to beat us last year by one point. I don't want to repeat it this year.

Jean Francois, you are heading for a World Championship victory I am sure. That is almost certain, but what are Renault's feelings about it?
Jean Francois Caubet: I think if we win the championship this year it will be the 10th time in 20 years. We think we did a good choice to sell engines and stop managing a team and I think the long-term strategy we will have with the Red Bull team is a good thing for future of Formula One and Renault.

What is Renault Sport's position within the Renault group as it were?
JFC: Renault Sport is doing only Formula One. We were 200 people last year. We will be 250 next year. It is a key point and the board is pushing Formula One in Renault now for the long term. I think that is good news.

Is that expansion because of the new engine?
JFC: Yes, I think we have 25 people coming from Renault mainly to develop the electric side of the V6 but we will have 40 next year and one team is 10 people more.

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