Imhotep Evil

1. Alonso won't be realesed this year, will be beaten badly by Renault in 2007.
2. Fisi comfident (?!) to win WDC
3. Renault says they'll keep both titles.

Renault says no to early Alonso release
Tuesday December 12 2006

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore has no intention of releasing Fernando Alonso from his contract early, despite McLaren asking him to do so.

McLaren were keen to get Alonso out on track and testing at Jerez this week and had said that they would approach Briatore to ask for the Spaniard's early release.

"We'd like him in the car as quickly as we can," McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh said last week Thursday.

"After this week there's one more test and we'd like Renault to recognise everything that he's done for them and release him to come and test for us next week."

However, Briatore didn't say yes.

"I think McLaren got the wrong address," the Italian told the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.

"If they wanted Alonso they should have spoken with Renault, not with the journalists.

"In any case I haven't yet thought about this possibility, I don't think it's so important for the fate of the world."

He added: "I send my wishes to Fernando to spend a merry Christmas and a relaxing winter, because when spring comes we'll beat him soundly!"



Fisi has no doubts he can win with Renault
Tuesday December 12 2006


Giancarlo Fisichella is confident that he can produce the goods in what is set to be a make or break season for the Italian according to some members of the Renault team.

Fisi will step up into the role of Renault's lead driver in 2007 as double World Champion Fernando Alonso is off to McLaren and will be replaced by rookie driver Heikki Kovalainen.

However, one member of the Renault team, tech director Bob Bell, has already warned the Italian that if he doesn't win the World title this year with Renault, he never will win it.

"If he doesn't find it this year, then I doubt if he ever will," Bell told The Times. "This, I think, really is a make-or-break year for Fisi."

However, the Roman isn't concerned by the added pressure of having to carry Renault's Championship hopes as he believes he's more than capable of leading the team to a third successive title double.

"I am very confident," he told Autosport, "and I'll do everything possible to imitate Alonso by making Renault win their third consecutive World Championship.

"Both Drivers' and Constructors', obviously!"

However, the Roman is a bit worried that Renault may struggle to adapt to the new Bridgestone tyres, which could hand the advantage to Ferrari in the opening few races of the new season.

"We ran into some difficulties when testing with the new Bridgestone tyres, because we had to change the balancing of the car," Fisichella said.

"Ferrari will surely have an advantage at the beginning, because they already know what set-up changes to make, while we have to start over from zero."



Dassas: 'Renault can defend titles'
Monday December 11 2006


Renault President Alain Dassas is confident that in Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen he has two drivers who can win the World titles for Renault.

In 2007 Renault will be without their double World Champion Fernando Alonso, who is off to McLaren after spending five years and winning two Drivers' titles.

In his place the Anglo/French squad has signed rookie driver Kovalainen as well as retained experienced racer Fisichella.

And Dassas is confident that the mix of youth and experience will allow Renault to overcome the loss of Alonso and win the title double for the third successive season.

"Fernando Alonso is a worthy Champion who fully deserves his titles," Dassas said.

"He has been a member of the Renault family for five years, and we are proud of that. I am sure we will remain close in the future."

He added: "But we also want to defend our titles!

"Heikki Kovalainen and Giancarlo Fisichella will bring us a blend of youth and experience.

"2007 will be a year of change for Renault and our rivals. It is up to us to get the maximum from it."

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Imhotep Evil

My view, the only way Fisi will win/Renault take double, is if the R27 will be the supreme F1 car on the grid.

If Fisi has someone behind him, he'll colapse under the presure.

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