Briatore Hails Alonso after 'Incredible' Performance

Renault boss Flavio Briatore praised Fernando Alonso after the young Spaniard gave the French squad their first podium finish since their return as a full team.

Alonso, who yesterday became the youngest ever driver to clinch a pole position, had been fighting a fever since Saturday and was also slowed by a faulty gearbox during today's Malaysian Grand Prix.

Despite the problems, however, the 21-year old went on to finish in third place, and Briatore was impressed by the effort.

"We have a driver who got us a pole and a third position," Briatore told Italy's RAI. "Fernando had a problem with the gearbox since the first pitstop, after which he had to change gears manually.

"He didn't have fifth gear, I think fourth nor first. He did something incredible. With three gears he maintained his laptimes, I can't really add anything to it."

Briatore, however, was not impressed with World Champion Michael Schumacher, who forced Alonso's teammate Jarno Trulli into a spin at the start of the race.

"Jarno was thrown out by Schumi, who by now should have learned to drive," he said. "Anyway, it was a racing incident, he got penalised, it's OK."