Dennis Hits Out at Renault

McLaren-Mercedes boss Ron Dennis has hit out at rival Renault boss Flavio Briatore after claims that the Italian said his team are set to overtake the former World Champions in the Formula One pecking order.

Dennis and McLaren have suffered a disastrous season start and lie fifth in the Championship with just four points collected from the first two races while Renault are third with 14 points and have already finished on the podium.

Dennis, agitated by Briatore's alleged criticism, immediately went on the defensive and said: "Was this in one of his homes during a 'Hello!' interview or was it in a serious motor racing interview?

"Everybody is entitled to an opinion. Do I think it is the right one? No."

Renault enjoyed huge success and won numerous Championships during the 1990s with Williams. But despite a previous foray into the sport in the late 1970s they have yet to win the title with a car of their own.

And when faced with later claims that Renault, who have won just one race - the Hungarian Grand Prix last year - since their full return in 2002, are a successful Formula One team Dennis struck again.

"I am sorry, when are you talking about?" he questioned the reporter. "What success? When they were with Williams? When were they successful? What period were you talking about?

"There is only one place to be and that is first and I can't see them in first place yet so perhaps they should save those comments until they are in that position."