Renault, Ferrari believe US gap a one-off

Thanks to Bridgestone getting their tyres spot on at Indianapolis, with Michelin widely believed to have been too conservative, Schumacher was able to cruise to a straightforward victory over teammate Felipe Massa as title leader Fernando Alonso struggled home fifth.

But neither Ferrari nor Renault are under any illusions that the performance differential between the two teams at Indianapolis was indicative of where the two teams currently stand in performance terms - especially since Ferrari used exactly the same type of Bridgestone tyre that had been beaten at Montreal last weekend.

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn said he expected normal service to resume at the French Grand Prix - even though his team are planning a major upgrade of their car.

"I was surprised with the gap here because we haven't seen that gap all year, either way," he said. "Obviously I was very pleasantly surprised, but I don't necessarily think it is a pointer for the future. I expect the future races to be much tighter than this."

Renault boss Flavio Briatore believes that tyres were the key factor in what happened at Indianapolis - and urged people to wait for the French Grand Prix to see what the true picture is.

"We thought (Giancarlo) Fisichella could catch a Ferrari at one point, but it was impossible. They were quicker and it happens. But there was nothing wrong with us here.

"We were so quick in Canada and nothing changed for here, except the tyres. We will go back to Magny-Cours and we'll see what happens."

Despite the feelings that the fight in France will be closer than Indianapolis, Brawn believes that his team are now on the verge of a serious shout at the title.

"Absolutely," he declared. "This was a good step for us. There are 19 points in the championship now and that is less than two races ago, so Fernando only has to have a DNF and we do well and the thing is alive."