Renault Expect to Close Gap to Ferrari

Renault have warned Formula One champions Ferrari to expect more of a fight in Malaysia this weekend than in the one-sided Australian season-opener.

"I think we have the potential for a good, solid result in Sepang," said Renault technical director Bob Bell in a team preview on Monday. "The circuit suits the strengths of our package and while Ferrari caught everybody out in Australia, I am sure we can close the gap at this race."

Ferrari dominated in Melbourne to the dismay of rivals who had hoped the red tide had turned after one of the closest championships in years. Six times champion Michael Schumacher led from start to finish in a one-two with Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello, with Renault's young Spaniard Fernando Alonso leading the challenge in third place.

However Malaysia marked the emergence of Renault as a genuine contender last year, their cars sweeping the front row of the grid as Alonso became the youngest driver to start on pole position.

"From what we saw there last year, we should have a good car and the tyres should work even better in the hotter temperatures," said Alonso, who also took the first Grand Prix podium of his career at Sepang last year.

"Realistically, we believe the car will become very competitive with the performance steps on the engine and chassis when we reach the European season. So the important thing during these first races is to be reliable, finish the races and score points. Finishing in the top five or six is our minimum target," added the Spaniard, a winner in Hungary last season.

Italian Jarno Trulli, a disappointing seventh in Australia, agreed that Renault could hope to do well in Malaysia.

"I qualified on the front row last season and in spite of the collision with Michael (Schumacher) I think it was a kind of breakthrough race for me: from the back of the pack I came through to finish fifth," he said.

"Last year's car was very good there and as the R24 is stronger in every area, that shouldn't change. I believe we can be very competitive."