MOTOR SPORT: After a week of bitter infighting the Renault team yesterday put on a united front, with Fernando Alonso insisting everyone was focused on winning the world championship. The defending title holder had criticised Renault and his team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella for a lack of support in his attempt to beat Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, but said yesterday: "The mood in the team is fantastic, better than ever."
Alonso, who had been scathing of his team after last Sunday's Chinese grand prix, added that he had no problem with Fisichella.
"We have a fantastic feeling, we have never had any problems because my opinion and my feeling after China was probably against the team but not against Fisichella. We drivers do what we have to do, what the team says to us to do," he said.
Fisichella, speaking in the countdown to tomorrow's Japanese Grand Prix, insisted "the matter is now closed" and the Renault team principal, Flavio Briatore, has held talks with Alonso to reassure him that he has his full support.
"I talked with Fernando and Fisichella yesterday," said Briatore. "Sometimes we talk about frustration, pressure and this and that. But I don't think there is any problem at all. Maybe it gives us some more motivation for this weekend."
Pat Symonds, Renault's engineering director, emphasised the need for unity. "Win or lose, we always do so as a team," he said. "Nobody is singled out. We know mistakes happen: engineers and mechanics can, and do, make errors, a driver can run off track, a situation can be misunderstood.
"But blaming this or that individual is always a mistake. That is the way we have always worked - and will continue to. We are feeling strong psychologically this weekend: there are no doubts over what happened last week, and the events in Shanghai will have zero impact on our performance."
Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher reflected the tension of the knife-edge title race yesterday when he reacted unusually angrily to the attention of fans. As he was walking down the paddock with his team-mate Felipe Massa, a female fan tried to have her photograph taken running up closely behind him. Schumacher waved her away. As he continued he looked like a man who just wanted to get out on to the track and get on with his job.
Nobody should be surprised that the pressure is beginning to tell. He is equal on 116 points with Alonso and the drivers face the daunting challenge of perhaps resolving the title outcome on this narrow and challenging 3.608-mile track widely regarded by formula one insiders as the best circuit in the world.
Jenson Button, who is out to disrupt the championship tussle by scoring the second win of his career, makes no bones about its challenge. "It's a very tough circuit and a real challenge for the drivers mentally and physically," he said. "You have to be precise, very consistent and it is really important to get the set-up of the car right."
Schumacher and Alonso know all too well that Button is right. To get the best out of your car at Suzuka you need excellent handling balance to tackle the abundant high-speed corners. Efficient aerodynamics are crucial to avoid time-consuming drag on the long straights and powerful, fade-free braking is a must for the tight chicane before the pits, which is approached at almost 200mph. Conditions can change quickly at Suzuka. Although there is a risk of rain today in practice and qualifying, race day is expected to be dry.
The track has a very abrasive surface and windy conditions can dry it out quickly. Choice of tyres is crucial, with Michelin believing it can deliver Alonso a decisive performance edge in the event of rain. Schumacher and Bridgestone are confident that the Ferrari will be home and dry if conditions remain fine.
Yesterday, Giancarlo Fisichella's Renault was fastest as the track began to dry out in the closing moments of the second free practice session. Massa was second quickest, followed by Schumacher.
Afterwards, Fisichella said: "The conditions meant that we didn't do many laps today, but I think we are in good shape. The car felt good to drive on the intermediate tyres, and while we had a bit too much understeer on dry tyres towards the end, the times were still competitive.
"It was a good feeling to be quickest on the track each time I ran today, so I am feeling very confident for the rest of the weekend."
Tomorrow's race will be the last to be held at Suzuka - Honda's home track - before the Japanese grand prix moves to the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway next year.
Guardian Service
