Renault not up down under

World champions Renault are expecting a tough start to the new Formula One season when the lights go out at Melbourne on Sunday.

The Anglo-French team have won the last two driver and constructors’ titles, but have lost the man who played a key part in that success – Fernando Alonso.

With the Spaniard now at McLaren in a car that has proven faster than Renault’s 2007 challenger in pre-season testing, and with Ferrari and BMW also showing genuine speed, expectations have had to be lowered.

As a result, chief of engineering Pat Symonds is not confident of Renault making it back-to-back wins Down Under.

He said: “I think we are being realistic about our performance at the moment. We know we are not in the same position as we were 12 months ago. There are still areas to work on to improve the car, and we know what we have to do.

“Of course, there is some frustration that we are not out front and leading the field, but it is no more than that. We expect 2007 to be a tough battle – but we are ready for the fight.”

Giancarlo Fisichella is now the team’s de facto number one, with Alonso’s seat filled by exciting newcomer Heikki Kovalainen.

The team has had to adjust to the loss of the sport’s best driver, but Symonds believes it has coped.

He said: “Giancarlo has been doing just what we asked of him this winter: he has stepped up to the mark, and is giving that little bit extra following Fernando’s departure, exactly as we had hoped. As for Heikki, I think he is very focused on making a good start to his F1 career. He is confident ahead of his F1 debut, and has done a very good job this winter.”