Rivals struggle as Renault click

WHILE the Renaults sauntered to the top two steps on the Malaysia podium, their rivals were left to pick through the pieces of a difficult weekend.

Giancarlo Fisichella and world champion Fernando Alonso were in a league of their own around Sepang and their performance advantage was clear, recording the two fastest race laps as well as Fisichella taking pole position.

But the pair were given a helping hand as the Anglo-French team look to defend both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles.