Formula One news

Symonds warns: don't write Renault off

Renault engineering director Pat Symonds has warned everyone not to write off Renault's chances after Michael Schumacher closed to within two points of Fernando Alonso in the drivers' championship and Ferrari overtook Renault in the constructors' battle.

"The team has had a tough month," Symonds acknowledged. "We threw away a win in Hungary, and events transpired against us in Monza. But had Fernando started from his correct grid position in Italy, we know he would have been fighting for the race win. Some people seem to think Renault is a spent force in this championship. That is far from the case."

"There is plenty of pressure, and there's no point denying it," he added. "We do not have any margin for error in these three races, but that also makes our job a lot simpler. The only option is to race aggressively. Second places are no good at this stage of the season. And the same is true for Ferrari."

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