Renault suffers double blow

Trulli's car only lasted for a hundred yards before the rear suspension failed, legacy of a driveshaft breakage, and he was fortunately able to control the car and pull off without causing a major first corner accident. Alonso was running strongly, but his chances of a podium finish went out of the window when he was forced out with a driveshaft failure.

"It is a bitterly disappointing to suffer a double retirement after looking so good during practice, and having been confident of a podium finish," said engineering chief Pat Symonds. "The indications we have so far are that both cars suffered similar transmission problems."

Alonso said: "The left driveshaft failed on the car - as I came down the straight I could feel the car pulling to one side, and I had to stop. The result is not good for the team in particular, but the car performed well during the first two stints of the race. The tyres were not quite as consistent as we had expected, but we were quick even so. I had a problem at the first stop when the fuel nozzle did not engage properly but even with that problem, we could have easily finished on the podium."

Trulli, who had qualified third, said: "My race was over as soon as it had started. I got a normal start, and then suddenly it felt like the rear suspension failed - perhaps because of a driveshaft failure. I pulled off straight away and that was it. Obviously, it's a big disappointment - Fernando showed today that we had the track position and the speed to win."