Renault to let it "all hang out" this weekend . . .

If you tend to follow the various motorsports throughout the world you will soon discover that they tend to run in parallel with each other . . . close championship titles right down to the last race (FIA GT, NHRA); unforseen circumstances handing the victory to "the other person" (case in point the moto gp yesterday); various "games" the close teams play (Penske splitting his drivers in ALMS), and the list goes on and on . . . .

Fisi is reported to be running with the new more powerful engine than FA . . . (new faster engine = kaboom, or how blatent will it be if the faster engined car moves over to let the slower engined one past -> "team orders"). Briatore is a bit arrogant in his statement that "for one we have the driver's championship" (sure would like to see him eat his words . .)

Here's the latest in "pyschological warfare" from Renault . . .

Renault will shy away from taking a conservative approach to this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix and are instead heading to Interlagos going all out for victory, team boss Flavio Briatore claims.

Although the French car manufacturer only need to finish third and fifth to guarantee themselves both the drivers' and constructors' titles, Briatore believes his team must go on the attack if they are to triumph in the season finale.

"We are going there to win the race," he said during a press conference to confirm Renault's new title sponsorship deal with ING. "It is like in football, if you go into a match looking for a 0-0 result then you normally lose the match.

"The team is strong. For one point we have the drivers' championship, and a few more we have the constructors' title. If we win the race we have everything. So we go to Brazil to try to win everything. It will be interesting to see the race on television and it will be a good show."

Briatore says his team are in a buoyant mood ahead of the race, and he thinks there is no doubt that his Renault team deserve to triumph.

"There is nothing easy in F1, but for sure I go to Brazil with a different spirit than I felt before the race in Japan.

"I believe Renault deserve the championship because Renault was very, very strong all through the season. We are not completely happy with what happened in some cases this season between the federation (FIA) and another team, but if it was for the reason to keep the championship interesting, then they did a good job.

"So it is important to go to Brazil to win the race. We don't go there to finish third or fourth or fifth. That is not the right mentality. We want to go there to win both championships and we will see."

The only concession that Renault are making is in giving Fernando Alonso a more conservative specification of engine compared to teammate Giancarlo Fisichella, in a bid to guarantee his reliability.

"We have a new engine," added Briatore. "Fisichella will have a more powerful engine, and with Fernando we will try to play it safely but we don't want to just finish third or fourth or fifth. I believe the spectators need this. It is big business, it will be a big television event, so let's have fun and fight."

Briatore has also dismissed any talk of the title battle being decided by a controversial on-track collision between Alonso and Michael Schumacher.

However, the amazing coming together between MotoGP title contender Nicky Hayden and his teammate Dani Pedrosa at Estoril yesterday that handed the series lead to Valentino Rossi has highlighted the fact that unforeseen circumstances can always come into play.

"Anything is possible, and we saw what happened yesterday with Valentino what could happen," added Briatore. "I believe Michael is a very professional driver and if he is involved in an accident then he loses the championship anyway. He has a lot to lose and nothing to win.

"After that, I believe in the sport people should be fighting fair. I really don't fear this kind of problem because Michael wants to leave F1 in the right way.

"I know him very well. This talk (of previous collisions) is good for the past and good for the gossip, because people are more interested in Sunday, but it will be normal.

"I have seen the weather forecast and it is 50 percent chance of a wet race. It will be interesting, but it will be a fair race and good fighting between Michael and Fernando, and good fighting between Renault and Ferrari."

* * * * *
Miracles do happen...

Carol
Ferrari 1-2 Laguna Seca - GT2
Ferrari 1-2 Sao Paulo
Audi #2 Overall Laguna Seca

 

He actually says "for one point we have the driver's championship", which is true. He means that if Alonso scores a point he is champion.

 

Based on those pics of Flabio in the shower at Monaco, I sincerely hope he doesn't let it all hang out for us to see...

I've got a weird feeling about Brazil though. Maybe it will be a Renault 1-2, but it seems more likely that something big is going to happen. I don't think Schumi would pull anything. But I feel as though FA has some seriously bad karma from running his mouth. He had his one engine breakdown of the season, as Schumi did, but someone of his (arrogant, immature, annoying, akward) personality seems to be due more than that. Then again, maybe Schumi's on track inconsistencies are finally catching up to him.

 

i just hope for an entertaining race. i hope for rain. we'll never know what MS is capable in the final race of his career..

 

I'm hoping Fisi and Alonso pull a Hayden/Pedrosa move.....

 

Renault may say that, but I will not believe it until after the race. It seems that they have the luxury of playing it safe and still take both titles. It does not make sense that they risk blowing up an engine to running at the limits and risk hitting a wall or another car.

 

Couldn't have said it better - fast engine meets slow engine at turn

Carol

 

is on the pole. I would guess he will qualify very light on fuel and stay away from the Ferraris as far as possible and finish in the top 6. That way nothing MS does will matter for the WDC.

 

oh-oh I thought MotoGP talk was banned on fchat? (great race, breathtaking ending, I almost started a new thread on that race)

 

Dutch sources say Ferrari engines have broken the 20.000 RPM mark in a race simulation.

This one's for you Michael!

 

Or he could start at the rear and carefully make his way through the field to get just one point. Personally, I am more concerned with what will happen with Mazza and Fisi, as I think that will be more important for the makers cup than the MS and FA battle....

 

I wouldn't wish rain for the Brazilian GP to my ennemy!
Maybe you haven't see the last GP run under rain there?
This circuit is notoriously dangerous when it rains, as the track lacks proper drainage. Even full rain tyres can't cope. Last time the cars were aquaplanning on the straight, and some hit the walls at full speed.
Also, at the bottom of the circuit, there is a back straight that turn into a river and is another dangerous spot.
It's only a matter of time before someone gets killed on this circuit during a wet race.

 

Who knows how Michael is going to drive this Sunday, it's his last race who knows what kind of stops that will pull out for him and his driving. I agree that FA has something coming to him karma wise, but as already stated this could just be MS's career catching up with him.

 

Good thinking.

Interlagos has that famous Senna downhill turn (or Brazilian corkscrew as I call it) right after the start. Prone to nozzle-schlamozzels. Best way to stay out of it is in front. Then come back in early for refuel and settle in the midst of the points.

 

I know someone associated with Ferrari racing. He said it best. No one ever remembers or cares about who won the constructors championship....the only thing that matters is who won the WDC. Michael will finish first in the last race of his magnificent career. As far as FA, 9th place at best.
You heard it here.

 

That was me. And in case anyone was wondering, I'm the Official Scuderia Marlboro Team Ferrari Nobody.

 

I totally disagree. I know many people who are more interested in history of the constructors cup than the driver's cup....which includes me..

 

The closer this weekends race gets the more I get this feeling that Ferrari will finish 1-2 and Renault not scoring ANY points. Weird.

 

Ouch, what an ass, that sure says what he thinks of MS.

 

MS: "It will be a full-out attack drive."

This should be good....

Jack

 

and me, it's the car. micheal schumaker couldn't do **** in a super aguri. i'd bet sato would do much better in the ferrari. 2005 baby.

 

hmm? who's 'schumaker'? sure, sato would kick butt just as Rubens did in the F cars....Get real, it also takes a great driver to exploit whatever car he has. I'm pretty sure Michael would kick Sato's butt everywhere if they were both in the not-so-super aguri's....

 

well, i haven't been to the circuit personally, but i've watched races in the past. yes, what ur saying is the 2003 race. but, tell me, would u prefer a full wet race, which brings the field to an all level competition or, would u prefer a regular driver's parade from the start to finish.

danger is part of racing. and so is the excitement. i would really like MS to win the race under heavy rain conditions, just like he did in his first race victory for Ferrari. now that would be a classic.

 

Great Post Brian, thank you. I agree 100%...although I am not an MS fan, I want him to win this one badly.

 

yup. it'll be one race i'll tell my kids next time, should a miracle happen