Renault drivers free to race each other

The French team and their Italian rivals have admitted that the fight for the championship could be all but over by the French Grand Prix next month if Fernando Alonso can extend his current 23-point advantage in Canada and the United States.

With Renault having captured the front row of the grid, and Ferrari struggling for grip, the likelihood is that the title gap will indeed grow after this afternoon's race.

And despite the team obviously hoping not to cause a repeat of last year's events, where Alonso crashed after getting frustrated at losing time behind Fisichella, Briatore has said there will be no team orders this afternoon.

"Absolutely no problem, they can race," he told autosport.com. "For sure I don't want any accidents, but I don't have any problems with them fighting. Absolutely zero problem. Let's see what happens."

Briatore is confident that his team's strategy will allow Alonso and Fisichella to fight at the front, as he rubbished any suggestions that his drivers had run with a light fuel load to help secure the front row.

"Sure the performance of the car is fantastic and the strategy we have is for the race, it wasn't for pole.

"For us it is not important to win every race, we can have a few podiums as well. I believe we have done a very good job."