Planet-F1

Nelsinho: 'The gap to Alonso is shrinking'

Monday 18th February 2008

Nelson Piquet Jr reckons he's closing the gap to Fernando Alonso on the race-track but concedes that Alonso's experience means the Spaniard has the edge.

This year's Championship will see Piquet Jr partnering Alonso at Renault in the battle of the rookie versus the double World Champion.

But while Nelsinho is hopeful of getting the better of his team-mate, the Brazilian concedes that Alonso's experience is a definite bonus for the Spaniard.

"The gap to Alonso is shrinking," he told AS, "but it is his experience that's difficult to overcome."

One example of Alonso's wealth of experience is the way in which the Spaniard attacks corners compared to his rookie team-mate.

While Alonso carries his speed well through the corners, Piquet Jr admits that's something he still has to work at.

"Fernando is faster into the corners than I am," he said. "Sometimes I brake later than he does, but I then have a problem when I arrive at the apex.

"Sometimes I go into the corner well but then I waste time at the braking point. That is something I hope to improve."