Briatore Warns Alonso against Errors
Renault boss Flavio Briatore has said he will sit down with Fernando Alonso before this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix to ram home the message that the Spaniard cannot afford to risk a repeat of the incident that put him out of last year's race
Alonso was shadowing teammate Jarno Trulli in the early stages at Monte Carlo last season when he crashed out in the tunnel while trying to lap Ralf Schumacher's Williams.
With that incident still fresh in Briatore's mind, the flamboyant Italian has vowed to make sure that the World Championship leader does not leave himself exposed to similar dangers this time out - even though he is confident Alonso knows exactly what he needs to do.
"In 2004 Alonso made his only mistake in Monaco, when colliding with Ralf Schumacher," said Briatore in an interview with Italian magazine Autosprint on Tuesday. "I'll talk to him, like I do before every race. I'm sure he'll be able to read the race well, with the maturity and the awareness displayed in previous Grands Prix."
Renault have high hopes of being able to repeat their Monaco triumph from last year, and have introduced a host of aerodynamic improvements to their R25 for this weekend in a bid to maintain the advantage that they have enjoyed so far this year.
Such is Briatore's confidence about a good result that, with Monaco's Sunday night's award ceremony a black-tie affair, he has said he is packing his tuxedo just in case.
"I hope we'll leave Monaco with some trophies, and I'll put my tuxedo in my suitcase," he explained. "You never know...
"I'm confident this year. Both Fisichella and Alonso can do very well, especially because Giancarlo will be able to get on the track among the last ones in Saturday's qualifying. I'm sure he'll get a spot on one of the front rows."
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