The R28 will be competitive, but it needs time

The director of the Renault F1 team, Flavio Briatore, admitted today that they are not at their best right now with the team, but above all wanted to reassure: The team needs time to improve performance.

Fernando Alonso returned to Renault, causing, according to many aficionados, the improvement of the R28’s performance. But the Iberian cannot do everything for the team, and despite a good 4th place obtained in chaotic conditions in Australia, Alonso could only take eighth place on merit in Malaysia.

The results are therefore not forthcoming, but Briatore does not want his team to be judged based on the first two Grand Prix of the season. Renault needs to be given time, and at least until the European leg of the season arrives with new developments.

« During the Turkish Grand Prix (5th GP 2008), approximately », confirms Briatore when asked from when he will judge the R28.

« For the moment we are on the right track, but we must not imagine that we can recover the seconds lost between Ferrari and McLaren overnight. »

« We are at the beginning of a new season – so why focus on the past. And if you think we have created a mid-field car, then I would tell you that Ferrari didn’t have an F1 car in Australia at all… »

Of course, the McLarens and Ferraris are fast, but look at what happened to the F2008 in Australia (where none of the drivers finished). So we will have to wait and see how it goes for us in the next two races…

Briatore also took offense at the new rumors circulating, suggesting a probable departure of Alonso to Ferrari if Renault did not have a competitive enough car: « Fernando Alonso always wants to give his best, and I don’t see why he would leave. There is no reason to comment on these rumors! »