Fernando, it was a tough weekend for you in Germany…
Fernando Alonso: Yes, probably the hardest of the season because we didn't expect to have the problems we did. We were not competitive throughout the weekend but even so, I think we had the performance to get on the podium without the tyre blistering in the first stint. The important thing is that the team is still working well, and taking the maximum from every race. We did it again on Sunday. Now, we need to have confidence in ourselves and improve the situation for Budapest.
Is it realistic to expect things to turn around in just one week?
FA: I don't think we will see a repeat of what happened in Germany. Personally, I am calm and I know the team has been working hard to understand what happened. The tyres in Hungary are very different to what we need in Germany, and Michelin have reacted to the problems as well. People are talking about Michael closing in, but I was never over-confident when I was leading – and I am not panicking now. I am confident we can have a strong race.
Of course, Hungary will always be a special track for you, after taking your first win there three years ago…
FA: I have fantastic memories of Hungary and that first win. It is a circuit I really like, very challenging physically and mentally because of the heat and the circuit configuration. There are so many corners that you are very busy in the cockpit, always fighting with the steering wheel, and at times it seems almost like a go-kart circuit! I enjoy every lap I drive there.
Last year, it was one of only two races in which you failed to score points…
FA: Yes, it was a funny race last year. I had an accident at the first corner, and then I was running at the back with cooling problems. But it shows how quickly things can turn around in Formula 1, because one week earlier I had won in Germany. It will be a different picture this year I think, and the V8 engines and softer tyres will mean we are much quicker in the corners. I am expecting a good race, and there is no reason why Renault cannot come out on top.
Giancarlo, the Hungaroring is a circuit that is constantly evolving through the weekend. How important is it to get a good feeling from the opening laps?
Giancarlo Fisichella: You need to be comfortable straight away, and confident with the car and the circuit. The circuit is slippery and dusty at the beginning, so you need a good feeling to understand what changes you need to make to improve the performance of the car. Then, as we run more and the circuit rubbers in, the grip gets better and better.
Is it a challenging circuit for the drivers?
GF: Yes, it is. There are a lot of chicanes where you need to use the kerbs – but not too much. We have long corners which make it tough physically towards the end of the race, and lots of braking into very slow corners. You also need to avoid mistakes because the circuit is very dusty off line, and getting the tyres dirty can make it hard to defend your position.
We saw in Monaco that you achieved the impossible – overtaking on a circuit where it is supposed to be impossible. Will a repeat be possible in Hungary?
GF: To be honest, I would prefer to get pole and keep the lead! But if that doesn't happen, then it is certainly easier to overtake now in Hungary than it used to be, and we have a good opportunity under braking into turn 1. I had some good overtaking manoeuvres in Monaco, so hopefully I can repeat that if necessary in Budapest.
Finally, it was a disappointing race for the whole team in Germany. What do you expect for the coming weekend?
GF: We were missing something in Germany, not just compared to Ferrari but the other Michelin teams as well. The team has been working hard to understand the problems, and come up with good answers for this weekend. I am confident Michelin will bring competitive tyres, and we need to get the maximum from them this weekend. I will be pushing to the limit, just like in Germany, and aiming for the podium.
