Briatore Says Win was Very Easy

Although the Spaniard came under pressure from World Champion Michael Schumacher in the early stages, a hydraulic failure put paid to the Ferrari's hopes of victory and from there Alonso was able to cruise to the win.

A delighted Briatore, whose team are now clear favourites for the World Championship this year, said: "It was great for the team. When Michael stopped we had no problems at all and we dominated completely.

"The only problem was for Fernando to take it easy for the tyres, engine and the car. It was really very easy."

The only major concern for Renault was the fact that Alonso's teammate Giancarlo Fisichella had retired from the race with an engine problem in the early stages - prompting the French manufacturer to tell Alonso to take it as easy as possible.

When asked whether he was worried about there being a repeat of Fisichella's problems, Briatore said: "Yes, every lap. We don't know what happened to Fisichella - the oil pressure was very high. But this is great for the team and I am very happy for Renault."

Renault are making the most of Ferrari's current slump from form and Briatore claims that the Maranello outfit are finding the pressure on them is greater because they are being beaten by the French manufacturer as opposed to the British team who have out-classed them in the past.

"We are pushing Ferrari so hard," he said. "There is McLaren and Williams, but if we are in front of Ferrari then everyone in Italy goes mad. We have got three wins from three races so let's see what happens when we get back to Europe. But it is not possible to win every race."