Ferrari 'learning' from Renault tactics

Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt has said that his team have taken note of the tactics adopted by Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella in the Chinese Grand Prix

The two Renault drivers held station at the front of the field during the middle stages of the race, when Alonso was suffering most from his new front intermediate tyres, delaying Michael Schumacher's progress.

But after swapping positions and running two abreast for several laps, Fisichella eventually took the lead when it became clear that Alonso's tyres were not going to bed in for improved performance.

And although Todt has drawn short of openly criticising the tactic, he has made it clear that Ferrari are now aware of what they are allowed to do ahead of the Japanese and Brazilian Grands Prix title showdown.

"It has been a good learning (experience) for us," said Todt, who saw Schumacher go on to claim victory. "We have learned what we can do. We learn what we can do inside and we learn from what the others do, so it is always interesting."

When asked whether he thought the tactics adopted by Renault were unusual, Todt said: "It is up to you to judge if they are usual or unusual. We are just taking it into consideration. I don't have any more comment to make."

Todt believes Schumacher's performance at Shanghai was 'fantastic' - especially considering the trouble that Ferrari appeared to be in with their intermediate tyres in wet qualifying.

"Definitely after qualifying yesterday and the weather forecast of today we are more than delighted of the final result," he explained.

"We know that wet conditions at the moment are not the best for us and, when Michael was sixth after a fantastic qualifying and, due to the change of engine, Felipe 20 th on the grid with our major competitors in first and second positions, I was more calculating how many points we would lose.

"We know our races can be unpredictable but we must not forget where we were after the Montreal Grand Prix in the manufacturers' and drivers' championship, so we are very strong competitors.

"We have demonstrated that we are very tight and hard competitors to fight with as well, so it will be interesting. But I will not allow myself to make a prediction about the final result."