Post by Liam O'Reilly on Aug 22, 2006 17:39:51 GMT
Although he has failed to beat Michael Schumacher since Canada, Fernando Alonso is seeing his pace at Hungary as an indicator that Renault will be challenging for victory once again in Turkey.
Succumbing to his first retirement of the year when a loose wheel nut cost him an almost certain victory in Hungary, Alonso was nonetheless encouraged by his surge to the front in wet conditions from 15th on the grid, the Spaniard claiming the race proved the R26 is still competitive in light Ferrari's return to prominence.
"I'm feeling very positive," he said. "I am in the position where everybody wants to be - leading the championship - with the races counting down.
"There was some pressure on us after Germany, but the race in Hungary showed that the R26 is still very competitive, and that you have to take every weekend one at a time."
Although he accepts Turkey is likely to be a different situation, Alonso, who finished second last year, insists that the sweeping circuit suits his car.
He also believes Michelin will come to Istanbul with an improvement in their tyre package.
"Turkey will be a new race with its own challenges, but I am feeling confident," he said.
"This type of circuit suits our car, and Michelin will bring good tyres. So we need to concentrate on our job, put the package together and make no mistakes. Then let's see what the race brings"
With its various swoops and curves, the Istanbul Park circuit has already emerged as a firm favourite on the F1 calendar and Alonso, like many of the drivers, are looking forward to a return to a circuit that is already drawing comparisons with the legendary Spa-Francorchamps.
"Parts of it are like a classic circuit such as Spa," he continued. "It is a very wide, modern circuit and there are plenty of overtaking opportunities.
"It features some special corners as well, which are blind when you go into them, so it's quite different to what we normally find on a new track.
"Of course, there is turn eight, which is a very long left-hander where we will probably be flat out with the V8 this year, with lateral loadings of 4G."
Alonso added: "It's a fun circuit, and this will be one of the season's important races."
Succumbing to his first retirement of the year when a loose wheel nut cost him an almost certain victory in Hungary, Alonso was nonetheless encouraged by his surge to the front in wet conditions from 15th on the grid, the Spaniard claiming the race proved the R26 is still competitive in light Ferrari's return to prominence.
"I'm feeling very positive," he said. "I am in the position where everybody wants to be - leading the championship - with the races counting down.
"There was some pressure on us after Germany, but the race in Hungary showed that the R26 is still very competitive, and that you have to take every weekend one at a time."
Although he accepts Turkey is likely to be a different situation, Alonso, who finished second last year, insists that the sweeping circuit suits his car.
He also believes Michelin will come to Istanbul with an improvement in their tyre package.
"Turkey will be a new race with its own challenges, but I am feeling confident," he said.
"This type of circuit suits our car, and Michelin will bring good tyres. So we need to concentrate on our job, put the package together and make no mistakes. Then let's see what the race brings"
With its various swoops and curves, the Istanbul Park circuit has already emerged as a firm favourite on the F1 calendar and Alonso, like many of the drivers, are looking forward to a return to a circuit that is already drawing comparisons with the legendary Spa-Francorchamps.
"Parts of it are like a classic circuit such as Spa," he continued. "It is a very wide, modern circuit and there are plenty of overtaking opportunities.
"It features some special corners as well, which are blind when you go into them, so it's quite different to what we normally find on a new track.
"Of course, there is turn eight, which is a very long left-hander where we will probably be flat out with the V8 this year, with lateral loadings of 4G."
Alonso added: "It's a fun circuit, and this will be one of the season's important races."