Renault set to restore F1 pecking order at home race

By Elmar Dreher Jul 12, 2006, 11:24 GMT

Magny-Cours, France - Michael Schumacher, Ferrari and Bridgestone may have had their moment of joy in the US, but now Fernando Alonso wants to restore the Formula One pecking order in the French home race of his Renault team and Michelin tyre partners.

Renault celebrates the 100th anniversary of Grand Prix auto racing since Hungary's Ferenc Szisz won the first ever GP race in Le Mans in a Renault in 1906.

In addition, Alonso has plenty of confidence having won at Magny-Cours last year.

'It was a fantastic race last year, one of the best for me. It was a perfect race, with a fantastic atmosphere. The crowd was excited, and I was too. I was very proud to win that race.'

'I think that from my point of view, in the paddock, with the fans, this is actually quite a normal race. But for the French guys in the team, they are extra motivated and excited for their home Grand Prix. So that's my focus - to do better than ever for them, and concentrate on winning in France for our team, for Renault, and for Michelin,' he said.

Alonso had no chance whatsoever two weeks ago in Indianapolis, finishing a season-worst fifth in a race dominated by Schumacher and his Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa on a track which has traditionally favoured Ferrari and Bridgestone.

Alonso's world championship lead was cut from 25 to 19 points, but the Spaniard has no reason to be concerned ahead of the remaining eight races of the season.

'I won four races in a row before Indy, but I always said that the championship was not over.'

'You have to look at the big picture for the championship. I was first or second at nine of the ten races and in the next eight races, I think we will be able to keep on winning and increase the lead even more,' he said.

Renault's Italian team boss Flavio Briatore agreed.

'We have the performance, the reliability and the people (to win the title). If we carry on, if we take nothing for granted and continue to push ourselves, then we can do it,' Briatore said.

Alonso said immediately after the Indianapolis race, where his team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella saved the day with third place behind the Ferraris, that 'we will see something more normal in France.'

Schumacher has done well in Magny-Cours with seven wins, but Alonso is confident that the Renault package will be superior. The pacakage includes a new engine which is said to have a big performance gain.

'There are a few high speed corners there, and you need good traction. Both of those things are characteristics of the R26, so it will be a good circuit for us and for Michelin too I think,' he said.