Confident Michelin are ahead of the game
It is almost a year since Giancarlo Fisichella recorded his first - and to date last - win for Renault. The Italian claimed the Australian Grand Prix Pole and took a comfortable victory in Melbourne last March but for the remainder of the season, was very much in the shadow of team-mate and eventual Champion Fernando Alonso.
Armed with the new R26, testing has gone well for Fisichella and he is confident ahead of the first race of the season.
“I have got a good feeling with the R26,” Fisichella said. “I am really comfortable in the car, and we have made a step forward compared to last year, especially with the rear end of the car. It is more stable under braking and in the middle of the corner, and the traction is a good improvement as well. Even though we have lost power with the change to the V8 engine, we have definitely made a step forward with the car. I am feeling confident for the season.”

Pre-season testing has proved to be a close affair with Renault, Honda and more recently McLaren Mercedes taking turns at the top of the timesheets. The common thread amongst these teams is Michelin who may be bowing out of the sport at the end of the season, but so far seem to have the competitive edge over rivals Bridgestone.

“I think they are doing very well,” Fisichella said of the French tyre manufacturer. “We have a good level of performance on the first lap, and the consistency is good too. There has been some graining sometimes, but it depends on the track temperatures. Overall, I think they are looking better than Bridgestone.”

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