Grapevine: Symonds not leaving Renault

Symonds' role in helping establish Renault as the team to beat in Formula One this year, following Fernando Alonso's title success last season, has made him an obvious target for those teams who are struggling to match the Anglo-French squad at the moment.

But speaking after Alonso's dominant Australian Grand Prix win, Symonds said quashed the rumours, saying he had not given any thought to leaving the team he has been with since it was named Toleman.

When asked about the rumours linking him with other teams who would benefit from a top-line strategist, Symonds said: "I'm staying at Renault, so I don't need to blow my own trumpet.

"It depends what you mean by strategy; I had somebody help me this year and I've never had that before. And he's a really good guy.

"But it's a lot more about your experience and how you go racing. It's not what lap you stop on; it's so much more than that.

"You can certainly lose if you get it wrong. You can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory if you're not careful."