Disappointed Alonso hopes for chaotic race
By Timothy Collings
VALENCIA, Spain, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Local hero Fernando Alonso hoped for a chaotic European Grand Prix after qualifying a disappointing 12th at the new Valencia street circuit on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Spaniard had hoped to give his compatriots, who packed the temporary grandstands around the new Valencia street circuit, plenty to cheer.
Instead, Renault's double world champion failed to make the final cut in qualifying.
"I am understandably disappointed with the qualifying session because I had other hopes for today," he said. "The race tomorrow will therefore be more difficult, but, as we are on a street course, anything is possible in the race.
"We must continue working hard this evening to try and work out the best strategy that will allow us to be ready for all eventualities tomorrow, such as a Safety Car period, which seems quite likely."
Alonso was in a quite different mood to that shown on Friday when he had talked about his pride to be racing at home in the country's second Formula One race of the year.
"We cannot forget that in 2003, when I started to race with Renault and started winning and finishing on the podium, the national television was not even broadcasting the races live," he said.
"Now, in 2008, we have fans at tests all over the winter and we have full grandstands at the two Spanish Grands Prix, or the two races here in Spain. So there has been a big change.
"The Spanish people know all about Formula One now. And I am in the middle of this, of everything, so I am very happy for that."
It was only the second time this season that the Spaniard had failed to make it into the 'top-ten shootout'.
His team-mate Nelson Piquet was also disappointed after qualifying 15th.
"I don't think our result shows our true pace because Fernando also failed to reach Q3 when we both had the potential," he said. "I will now work with my engineers and prepare for an aggressive race to move up through the field tomorrow."
The drivers' disappointment was echoed by engineering chief Pat Symonds.
"Considering all the preparation involved for this new circuit, it's very disappointing not to have any of our cars in the final part of qualifying," he said.
(Editing by Alan Baldwin)
