Formula One news

Renault play it safe with Alonso engine

Renault will play it safe with Fernando Alonso's engine for the final race of the season. A failure for Alonso and Michael Schumacher winning the Interlagos race is the only way the Spaniard can lose the F1 title.

"Obviously our technical approach won't be the same as usual," Renault engine chief Denis Chevrier said. "We're not going to be looking for that final tenth of a second at Interlagos."

Alonso is due for a new engine, but the team is set to fit it with a current V8, the reliability of which the team has more confidence in than possibly with an upgraded powerplant it had in the wings in case the championship was closer. 

"Renault won't revert to a tried and tested old-spec V8 which would compromise our competitiveness," Chevrier added. "Instead we'll work on making our current engine fully efficient."

Despite this, Chevrier insisted that the team would be fighting for the win if it has the opportunity to do so in Brazil.

"Fernando is not going to give up a chance to win if he sees that's possible," he added. "Nevertheless, his objectives in Brazil will be different."

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