Renault Endure Belgian GP Nightmare

Spaniard Fernando Alonso was disappointed after retiring from the Belgian Grand Prix while he was leading the race, which turned out to be a disaster for the Renault team.

Alonso had to retire on lap 12 when he spun into the gravel having already gone off the track earlier in the lap due to an oil leak from his engine.

"To retire from the lead of a race is never good, and especially at this stage of the season," said Alonso. "We looked competitive compared to Raikkonen and the other cars, and I was just beginning to run at my full pace when the car spun round on the entry to turn 5.

"I got going again, but then it happened again into turn 8, and when I got out, I could see the left rear was covered in oil. I'm just disappointed, because it was a good chance for a strong result today."

It was a nightmare day for the Renault team, who failed to score any points despite Italian Jarno Trulli starting the race from pole position and Alonso from third. Trulli also led the race briefly before he began to drop off, the Italian claiming his car was very hard to drive.

Trulli came home in ninth position.

"I don't know what happened today," said Trulli. "Things seemed quite good in the first stint, but then after my first stop, the car became undriveable. I lost grip at the rear, and had no confidence through the high-speed corners, which penalises you all the way round the circuit here at Spa.

"I am very upset with this performance, but right now, I just want to understand what happened."