Alonso: Renault my 'first priority'

Eurosport - Tue, 30 Sep 10:26:00 2008

Fernando Alonso's surprise victory in Singapore has put Renault in pole position to retain the double world champion's services next season, even if he said afterwards that it had changed nothing.

FORMULA 1 2008 Singapore GP The Race (61 Laps) Alonso (Renault) - 0

"I didn't say that," the Spaniard replied when asked whether it could now be assumed he would be staying with the French manufacturer.

"This victory is also thanks to the massive effort they are making with this year's car and next year's but it's not changing the decision for next year.

"Renault will be my first priority because I feel I'm at home in this team," added the 27-year-old, who had said before Sunday's race that he needed a miracle to win after qualifying in 15th place.

Alonso rejoined Renault this season after an ill-fated year with McLaren, where he won four races but fell out with management and team mate Lewis Hamilton.

Sunday's victory in Formula One's inaugural night race, with Alonso gaining a big advantage through pitting before a safety car stint, was his first in more than a year and

Renault's first since the Spaniard won his second title with them in 2006.

The manufacturer struggled last year and, languishing in fifth place overall before Sunday's astonishing turnaround, had not looked like returning to the top step of the podium this season either.

Alonso's future has been the talk of the paddock and the key to the driver market, with both Honda and BMW-Sauber waiting for him to decide before announcing their own 2009 line-ups.

Ferrari would have been his first choice but the Italian team closed the door by announcing earlier this month that 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen would be staying with Brazilian Felipe Massa through to the end of 2010.

The Spaniard said Singapore, with Ferrari failing to score a point and McLaren's championship leader Hamilton finishing only third, had been a big boost for Renault who moved up to fourth place.

"We started the season quite far away from pole position and from the top teams and now we are much closer," he said.

"So we are definitely one of the teams who have most improved their car but maybe it was not difficult because at the beginning of the season we were not at the right level."

Reuters

Comment 60 - 79 of 79

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  1. A bit off the subject, but what comment on here isn't. i missed the trophy ceremony, was there a hand shake or anything between LH and FA??

    From mrazz@..., on Tue 30 Sep 11:31PM

  2. dswjacks - Comment 71

    Probaly the best post I've seen here. A LH fan but sporting and appreciative enough to give credit for a very good performance by Renault and Alonso.

    A bit less sniping and a few more intelligent comments would make this all much more worthwhile.

    From Mr Burns, on Tue 30 Sep 4:58PM

  3. great supastar alonso ,,``,, fiasco circuit

    From serrrannos, on Tue 30 Sep 4:47PM

  4. fantastic alonso, great MAGIC ALONSO

    From maria digna, on Tue 30 Sep 2:03PM

  5. For those with very weak memories, it was Hamilton who started the whole @#$% last year by going against his own team decisions (Hungary wasn´t it?).He is the biggest crybaby in the whole world and his father is a bit of a plonker. If Alonso was lucky on Sunday, Hamilton was extremely lucky on Saturday and never managed to drive as fast as Alonso in that race. By the time Hamilton wins two consecutive world championships hell will have frozen over. Come on Renault!!!!

    From teo_manrique, on Tue 30 Sep 1:05PM

  6. Alonso will always be childish and bitter towards Hamilton for daring to challenge him at Mclaren last year. He has already written off Hamilton's chances of winning the title this year and one hopes he is proved wrong. It is usually disappointing to have a champion who lacks grace and humility - he admitted to having only a little bit of luck at Singapore. He doesn't realise that there is currently a lot of talent in F1 and there are a number of drivers who are equally good if not better. With such a personality problem, he is definitely not a good ambassador for F1.

    From Ebere, on Tue 30 Sep 12:16PM

  7. I quite agree. If Ferrari can't sort out their pit work they should be suspended before they kill somebody.

    From Biggles, on Tue 30 Sep 11:18AM

  8. When will the FIA ban ferrari for a full race when they put people's lifes in danger.Once again their shambles in the pits plus why is no-one talking about Massa in the same incident driving out infront of someone entering the pitlane.Can someone tell me why did ferrari for their incident only get a drive thru,but teams that entered the pits when closed got a stop and go.To me the punishments should of reversed!

    From hotrijder7, on Tue 30 Sep 10:49AM

  9. Melted Rubber what part of the weekend did you not watch, all of it?
    I am a Hammy supporter but please give credit where credit is due. Alonso was strong all weekend and would have definitely put Hammy out of final quali had he not had a problem.
    Great team decisions and strategy put him in front and he drove a faultless race.
    I think the sport needs more drivers who have the ability to take advantage of whatever happens over a race weekend and Renault and Alonso clearly made the very best of a difficult quali with a well deserved win.
    Congrats!!
    Hammy 4 CHAMPION 2008

    From dswjacks, on Tue 30 Sep 9:14AM

  10. 69 badmean ~~ wot did you want on the track then kid ???

    §§ green grass from Wimbledon Tennis..,,!

    From yekaterinabelle, on Tue 30 Sep 9:02AM

  11. CONGRATULATIONS TO SUPASTAR `` ` ALONSO ,, AND ALL HIS CREW

    A PERFECT RESULT FROM GREAT STRATEGY

    From marilynne@..., on Tue 30 Sep 6:55AM

  12. Regards shell laying the track, consider that shell is the second largest energy and petroleum company in the world.... I would trust them to do such a job and i'm sure they won the contract fair and square.. When you consider how large their interests are in SE Asia you will understand why they were given the contract.

    From BADMAN, on Tue 30 Sep 6:53AM

  13. fjk #57 - learn how to type and spell @#$%. Then come back and see me. I'm sorry I insulted your boyfriend.

    From Melted Rubber, on Tue 30 Sep 1:47AM

  14. talk about an unfair advantage shell getting the contract to lay the surface they also laid ferraris track using the same materials so even though the big red 'uns got the track just how they wanted irony decrees both cars didnt finish oh just a comment to massa, you were only michael shumakers 2nd driver you are not & never will be as good even kimi is fed up with you lording it about just a word of advice look on kimi's car you will see NO1

    From wally, on Tue 30 Sep 1:36AM

  15. how come alonso cut a bend to gain a place but dide not give it back nothing said there even martin brundle commented on it oh by the way mark blundel should be dressed in a red outfit like nikki lauder is

    From wally, on Tue 30 Sep 1:17AM

  16. zzzzz...

    From casanovairlandes, on Mon 29 Sep 11:03PM

  17. Alonso dont bother with BMW a german driver will always be there!

    From wizzo, on Mon 29 Sep 10:35PM

  18. YES THEY REJECT VALID COMMENTS ++ACCEPT ABUSIVE ONES

    COMPLAIN TO NINA IN THE OFFICE

    From errattic.results, on Mon 29 Sep 9:45PM

  19. ALONSO WON BY SKILL OF HIS PIT CREW STRATEGY WHICH PROVED SUCCESSFULL

    THEY PLANNED IT FROM THE BEGINNING AND WERE QUITE CORRECT====== CONGRATULATIONS

    From errattic.results, on Mon 29 Sep 9:41PM

  20. bannister is a misguided child needs training

    From madmassa@..., on Mon 29 Sep 9:19PM
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