Slump will end soon, says Renault chief

Renault technical chief Pat Symonds admits Ferrari’s winning streak has left him “despondent”, but is convinced the run will end soon.

Michael Schumacher has won the last three races to close to within 11 points of Renault’s championship leader Fernando Alonso.

The momentum in the title race shifted at Hockenheim last weekend when Schumacher’s win gave him realistic hope of an eighth championship for the first time this season.

Symonds said: “I am sure [Ferrari technical director] Ross Brawn felt quite despondent when we got four wins in a row and I feel quite despondent now he has won three races in a row.”

Alonso’s chances of extending his lead were dealt a blow when he was given a two-second qualifying penalty for brake testing Robert Doornbos in practice and overtaking under yellow flags in practice.

That leaves him unlikely to start from the front half of the grid tomorrow while Schumacher starts favourite.

This weekend’s race may now be a write off but Symonds believes Renault will return to form before the end of the season.

“It’s swings and roundabouts,” he added. “The season is not over. We had a dreadful race in Germany but I hope we are an honest team and act on our problems. The fight is not over.

“We have taken a bit of hammering over the last few races but I see no reason why that shouldn’t swing back our way.

“I have said all along this year that I think the situation is going to go up and down as different tyres suit different races.”

Alonso has seen his championship lead dwindle from 25 points to 11 over the space of just three races but Symonds claims the pressure is still not showing on the young Spaniard.

“Fernando is a remarkably calm character, extremely laid back,” he said. “If he was showing the pressure it would have been last year when we were racing a car that was considerably quicker than ours. It was a very frustrating thing to do.

“While Ferrari have been quicker than us in the last few races I don’t think it is the same situation.

“Fernando remained calm last year and I have seen no change in him this year. He is working very hard and thinking about his job.”