Jarno Trulli, 19th: “I’m very happy today. I want to thank the whole team, everyone at the factory and in the race team because they have all been patient with me and have worked hard to give me the new power steering system and a car that I can really feel. As soon as I pulled out this morning it felt so much better than before so today I’ve been able to start rebuilding my confidence in the car, and working on all the little changes and improvements that help me to find a set-up I can really work with. It’s been a really positive day and for that my thanks go to everyone in the team.”
Heikki Kovalainen, 20th: “It feels like we have taken a step forward with the updates we’ve brought to the back end of the car but I still need to work on finding a balance I’m happy with. We tried a few different set-up options today but I couldn’t really find the best solution on either compounds, but we’ve completed a lot of mileage so I’m sure we’ll find the right way forward tomorrow.”
Thierry Salvi, Renault Sport F1 Support Leader: “A good Friday for the team. We have completed a very decent number of laps and worked through all the engine maps we will need to use here. Driveability is the key to maximising engine performance at this circuit and with the amount of data we have generated today on both cars I am sure we can find more time for qualification tomorrow for both Jarno and Heikki.”
Mike Gascoyne, Chief Technical Officer: “That was one of the best Fridays we have had this year. We have made some modifications to the diffuser and those changes have definitely worked, and with Jarno immediately telling us the new power steering system is working exactly as we wanted it to we have been able to push closer to the cars ahead than we have for a while. On Heikki’s car we need to work on finding him a balance he is happy with and we will see how we have got on with that tomorrow, but overall this has been a very positive Friday.”
Riad Asmat, Chief Executive Officer: “I am very pleased with today’s work across the whole team. Back at the factory we have put in a lot of hours on the updates we have brought here, both on the diffuser and the new steering system, and it is clear from both drivers’ laptimes that those efforts have closed the gap to the teams ahead more than we have seen for several races. Jarno in particular has been able to push today and he reported that as his confidence increases he will be able to find more time, so I think quali tomorrow could be very interesting.”
Discussion about this post