Fernando Alonso

Magny-Cours is the team's home race – pressure or pleasure?


"For me, Magny-Cours is a normal race: I don't feel more pressure just because we are racing in France. But for the team, it is something very special – we see a lot of Renault fans and supporters, and lots of people from the factories in France and from the team, so it is important for us to be quick and to show them a good performance. When I race for Renault in Magny-Cours, in front of those people, I feel very proud and I want to give a good performance for the team."


In terms of competitiveness, how do you expect things to stack up?


"It will be a close fight – McLaren will be fast, like they are everywhere, but Magny-Cours has been a good circuit for Renault. Last year, I got pole and had a strong battle with Ferrari for the win. This year, we are going there with a better car, and we will expect to be competitive. Will it be enough to win? I don't know. It definitely won't be easy – I think the battle at the front will be much tougher this year than in 2004."
The circuit is rarely mentioned among the drivers' favourites – what do you think of it?
"There are some parts I really enjoy. There are two high-speed chicanes that are very challenging, and this is the only circuit in the world with chicanes like this where you have to attack them at over 200 kph – that is a special feeling for the drivers. Then, the last chicane is quite difficult as well – it is very slow, and the kerbs are high which means you must find exactly the right line or you can possibly damage the car. You have to be careful through there in the race, and I think it is a difficult section for everybody."


... Alonso je dejal, da na domači dirki za Renault ne čuti posebnega pritiska, ter da bo tesen dvoboj odločil zmagovalca, je pa prepričan, da bo on med prvimi.