The Renault team praised Fernando Alonso for holding on to fourth spot after challenges from David Coulthard and Michael Schumacher at the European Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Renault team praised Fernando Alonso for holding on to fourth spot after challenges from David Coulthard and Michael Schumacher at the European Grand Prix on Sunday.
“(It was) a very hard race for Fernando, who had to push all the way through to hold off the challenges of David and Michael. He withstood the pressure well, to give us a satisfying fourth place,” said Pat Symonds, Renault Executive Director of Engineering.
The Renault driver first came under pressure from Coulthard. The Scot tried to pass Alonso with four laps remaining, but the Spaniard moved into the inside lane as the McLaren driver made a move for the same spot. Coulthard was forced to move to the outside and ended off the track in the gravel trap.
On the final corner of the race, Michael Schumacher nearly passed Alonso as the Spaniard struggled with the handling of his Renault.
“A good race for me, and a strong result after a difficult weekend. I had a good fight with Jarno in the first few corners, which he eventually won coming out of Turn 4. I managed to get past him when he pitted before me, but I lost some performance during the last stint, even though we made small aerodynamic changes at both stops,” said Alonso.
“I was under a lot of pressure during the last stint, first from Coulthard and then Michael, but I managed to keep my position. Ralf’s win means I have lost my third position in the championship, but I’m not too worried. We did a good job this weekend.”
Alonso’s team-mate, Jarno Trulli, retired on lap 38. “Unfortunately, I think my car stopped with a fuel pressure problem. Until the retirement, I was having a good race; I managed to keep up with the leaders at the start, but then lost time behind Fernando during the second stint. It looked like we were going to get two points finishes today, and it is therefore a shame to leave with just one,” said Trulli.