GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Senna convinced Renault will bounce back at Suzuka

Senna convinced Renault will bounce back at Suzuka

ESPNF1 Staff
September 30, 2011

Bruno Senna: "The low-speed nature of Singapore made it the worst circuit for us in terms of performance" © Sutton Images

Bruno Senna is convinced Renault will put on a better showing at the Japanese Grand Prix that it did in Singapore.

The Renaults qualified 15th and 18th on the street circuit last weekend and finished 15th and 17th. It was the team's worst result of the season and earlier this week technical director James Allison said the R31's front-exiting exhaust was to blame for the lack of performance on tight circuits such as Singapore.

Suzuka, the venue for this year's Japanese Grand Prix, is a high-speed circuit and both Senna and the team are confident it will suit the Renault better.

"I'm convinced that will be the case," Senna told Renault's website. "The low-speed nature of Singapore made it the worst circuit for us in terms of performance. That hurt us a little bit, but with the updates that we have planned for Suzuka we should be strong there, and get both cars in the points again - that's where we belong."

Asked what his personal aim for the rest of the season is, Senna added: "My prerogative is adding more points to my name. If we can still add to the car a little bit here and there, that will help. We need to stay ahead of the teams behind us, in particular Force India. If we can close the gap to Mercedes GP in fourth, that would be a real boost for the team but primarily we must hold on to fifth position."

But having been promoted to race driver just three races ago at the Belgian Grand Prix, Senna dows not yet feel up to speed with the drivers who have been on the grid since the start of the year.

"Undoubtedly they [the other drivers] still have the upper hand because they have completed more races than me," he said. "I've driven at three very different circuits so far in very different conditions, and Suzuka will be another of the traditional races where I have limited experience. I'm learning and catching-up with the other drivers on the grid, but they have a considerable amount more experience than I do, and have greater knowledge about the tyres too."

Credit: ESPN F1 (en.espnf1.com)