Giancarlo Fisichella has set his sights on the Melbourne podium after admitting that Renault’s winter has been overshadowed by the pace of Ferrari and McLaren.
The French squad captured the 2005 and 2006 championships, but in the absence of Fernando Alonso it has not shone as a regular pacesetter in pre-season testing with its new car.
Roman Fisichella, now partnered by rookie teammate Heikki Kovalainen in 2007, said the Enstone built car’s “reliability” is among Renault’s biggest assets ahead of the new season.
“I think we have to aim to be on the podium,” he said, although admitting that the R27 seemed to take a step forward in performance in the second week of Bahrain testing.
Fisichella added: “We are still behind Ferrari in particular, they looked very strong this week. McLaren are a little bit ahead too, and BMW are competitive as well but I think we have made a good step forward.”
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
