1 wk break over

I had just looked at the calendar and realised that in just another 8 weeks, it is the end of our Yr1 Sem2. After our DSM exam on 24th Apr, which also happens to be my wedding anniversary, I have effectively completed my DipEd Yr1. How time flies. I still recall the first day that I stepped into NIE on my way to become a teacher. Our dean told us that the 2 years we spend here will sail by swiftly. We are nearly halfway there. I liken this to running a marathon. This is just the half way mark. So to my fellow coursemates, press on. Finish it well.

I have attached another article from the F1 website. Seems that Mclaren and Ferrari are the team to beat according to Renault. Could this be just a tactic by the French team to play mind games with their strongest competitors or does the Mercedes powered Mclaren team and the prancing Italian horse really have got what it takes to be on the top step of the podium? The answer, in the coming months, with the season opening just around the corner.

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Fisichella: Ferrari and McLaren still ahead
Italian banking on reliability in bid for Melbourne podium

Giancarlo Fisichella has admitted that Renault could struggle to match their two main rivals for pace when the 2007 Formula One season gets underway in Australia in just over a fortnight’s time.

In terms of lap times, world champions Renault have been overshadowed during winter testing by Ferrari and McLaren. Although Fisichella believes they may well have closed the gap during the Bahrain sessions, he says it might not yet be quite enough.

“For sure, we are still behind Ferrari in particular, they looked very strong this week,” he told Renault’s official website. “McLaren are a little bit ahead too, and BMW are competitive as well, but I think we have made a good step forward.”

Renault’s preparations for Melbourne suffered a setback earlier this week when Fisichella’s team mate Heikki Kovalainen crashed heavily in Bahrain, robbing the team of around a day’s track time. Nevertheless, Fisichella insists the Sakhir running provided significant gains.

“Things went pretty well for us this week,” said the Italian. “From the first day on Tuesday to the final day, we made some good progress with the car, and that’s a positive sign. There was a big step forward with the balance and set-up, and I think we look more competitive now.”

But even if Renault find they don’t quite have the speed of their rivals when they get to Albert Park, Fischella believes Renault’s excellent reliability could prove their trump card. As a result he is targeting at least a top-three finish.

“I think we have a good estimate of where everybody is, but until you start running at the race, you never know…” he said. “I think we have to aim to be on the podium. The reliability of our package is very good at the moment, and that can be a big asset in the opening races.”

Renault won last year’s Australian Grand Prix - then round three of the season - with Fernando Alonso taking the honours and Fisichella finishing fifth.