Briatore says no pressure on Piquet

Piquet qualified only 21st and then struggled with a damaged car until his mid-race retirement following a collision on the first lap.

But although Piquet's performance was far below the form that a charging Fernando Alonso showed en route to fourth place, Briatore says he is not worried about the Brazilian.

"It was difficult for a lot of people - there were only eight cars finishing," said Briatore. "Nelson had a problem at the back of the car and it was damaged at the start. He was managing to start quite well, because he was 12th at the first lap.

"But he's young and there's no pressure at all. We'll see what happens in Malaysia. But he can take it easy for the moment."

Briatore said he was very impressed with Alonso's spirited run, as the team just missed out on a podium finish.

"Fernando did a fantastic job. We are very unlucky with the Safety Cars - always in the wrong place at the wrong time, but Fernando did the rest.

"The car is much better and we'll see what happens. This is only the first race so to finish fourth is the best possible for us. We have development stuff coming and we will get a better idea of where we are in Malaysia. It's still very difficult to see.

"But when we put our act together and start really pushing the development, it's great for the team."