Pat Symonds: “It’s going to be a close season”According to Renault’s Executive Director of Engineering, Ferrari’s rivals will soon be able to close the gap to the Reds. Perhaps even in Sepang.

Pat, what is your overall verdict on the Renault F1 Team’s level of competitiveness this weekend?

I wasn’t really surprised by our performance. I was, though, by Ferrari’s! During the winter, it is hard to know what everybody is up to; that’s doubly true of Ferrari, as they tested separately from the other teams during the winter. Having said that, this circuit maybe didn’t allow us to fully capitalise on the strongest features of our package: I would have preferred to see slightly higher temperatures. What’s more, Albert Park is always a place where Ferrari seem to go well. As for Renault, our podium was the result of a disciplined, well-managed weekend. That’s a good sign.

What is your assessment of your rivals?We beat Williams, McLaren and BAR in the race, but I am sure they will bounce back. There is no doubt they will prove tough to beat. In my opinion, the 2004 season will prove a lot closer than the first race might seem to indicate.

What areas was the R24 strong in last weekend?Fernando drove an excellent race, he was robust when necessary and consistent. Our tyres were fantastic, and we had chosen with an eye on the cooler temperatures predicted for the race. The engine performed strongly all weekend, and the set-up we found meant the cars were well balanced.

What are your hopes for Sepang in a fortnight?We go to each race with the ultimate objective of winning. But will we be able to do better in Malaysia than Australia? Yes, it’s possible. I am sure we will be closer to the Ferraris. Of course, beating them is going to be a tough job, but that will be our aim.