Franck Montagny, the Renault F1 Team's test driver, has had a busy winter.
Just three weeks
ahead of Melbourne, he gave his impressions so far.

Q: How is your testing programme going? You've been at every test session
since the start of January!

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Franck Montagny: That's right - I've barely had time to
take a breath!
Having said that, I'm still left wanting more. This winter, I have driven
over 7500 km and now I'm starting to build up a bit of experience. Of
course, there are still plenty of little things I need to learn each day,
and I am working hard to take everything on board. Next week, Jarno and
Fernando will be testing while I watch from the pits, and that will give
me a bit of time to take a step back, analyse and understand. It's a bit
like an intensive study course, but the opportunity to work with a team
of Renault's calibre is a dream for any young driver.

Q: You have been partnered by Jarno (Trulli) and Fernando (Alonso)
alternately in the last few
sessions. What have you learnt from them?

FM: First of all, I have understood that there is no single
rule for being quick in F1. Even though their set-ups are similar, Jarno
and Fernando have very different approaches to their job. Jarno is 100%
focused from morning to night, and he lives for F1: when we leave the
hotel in the morning, you can be sure he is already at the track, and he
stays there until nine in the evening. That's his way of working.
Fernando and I, though, need more time to relax in order to perform at
our best. Having said that, working with both of them teaches me new
things every day. It's extremely important.

Q: Is it possible to transfer the information collected with the R23 onto
the R24?

FM: For the team, there is no point in working on set-ups
for the R23. We have no interest making the car even quicker at this
stage, so the aim isn't to go all out for performance. Having said that,
the data we collect on tyres can be adapted to the R24 because the two
cars have similar handling. My role has been to test tyres for the first
races of the season. I make an initial choice that is then confirmed by
Jarno and Fernando.

Q: That demonstrates the team must trust your feedback.

FM: Yes, it does. Having said that, most of the Michelin
teams have reached similar conclusions about the performance of the
different tyres, and particularly the range of compounds. That gives us a
little safety net just in case.

Q: Physically, do you feel comfortable in an F1 car?

FM: I have adapted to it now. and my shirt collar has gone
up a size! However, the seating position in the R23 isn't perfect for me
and my back is a bit sore, but that will be sorted soon. Whatever else,
it has made me realise how important your driving position is in F1!

Q: Your lap times are comparable to those of the two race drivers. It must
be good for your confidence?

FM: It's nice, yes. When the team's aim is to set good lap
times, and I am allowed to go for a good lap, I can set competitive
times. At the moment, it takes me a bit longer than Jarno or Fernando to
get there, but that's just a question of experience. Driving an F1 car on
the limit is great fun!

-renault-


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