Symonds seeks two-tenth step in Canada

F1’s reigning world champion team Renault is making strides towards returning to the pace in 2007.

That is the outlook of the French squad’s veteran engineering chief Pat Symonds, who suggested to the magazine Auto Motor und Sport that Renault is finally getting to the bottom of the reasons for its mysterious lack of speed earlier this season.

“The modified front suspension in Barcelona was the first step, and the new front wing in Monte Carlo (was) the second,” Symonds is quoted as saying by the German publication.

It is understood that the problem with the R27 has therefore been isolated to the front of the car, but even with improved pace, Giancarlo Fisichella still finished a lap behind the McLarens in Monaco.

Symonds defends Heikki's progress

Renault's executive director of engineering Pat Symonds says people should not compare Heikki Kovalainen's progress with fellow rookie Lewis Hamilton's stunning achievements.

"It's an unfair comparison," he said in Renault's official podcast.

Symonds is convinced that Kovalainen would fare better if the car gave him more confidence.

"Perhaps the most important thing that you need to give a rookie is a car he can trust - a car that he can take to the limit and a bit beyond, and get it back," he said.

"And I think that's where we're probably letting Heikki down a little bit this year."

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