Benetton Boosted by Belgian Performance

The Benetton-Renault team can look to the future with more optimism after a vastly improved performance at the Belgian Grand Prix.

With Giancarlo Fisichella securing third place after a very difficult season, the Renault-owned outfit have an added zip in their step, and boss Flavio Briatore was pleased with the result.

"Everything was perfect," said Briatore. "You need a weekend like this one because it has been very tough this year. We are out of the tunnel, and it looks like we are going in the right direction."

One man who had been the target for criticism was Benetton-Renault's technical director Mike Gascoyne, but the Briton said he always thought it was only a matter of time before the team got back towards the front of the field.

"I have always believed in what we are doing, and the whole factory has believed in what we are doing, and the great thing is this provides us with tremendous motivation over the winter and tremendous self belief in what we are doing," said Gascoyne.

"We have stopped a lot of things and said we'll put things right and you'll have to wait and then you'll see it coming through and that is what we have done and I think it will motivate the whole factory."