Renault is Back, Warns McNish

Renault test driver Allan McNish warned Formula One on Sunday that "Renault are back" following Fernando Alonso's impressive victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The win was the French manufacturer's first since re-entering the sport last season, with Alonso also becoming the youngest ever driver - and the first Spaniard - to take a Formula One victory. He is also the eighth different winner this year.

"They're back up and running again - it proved Renault are back," McNish told ITV after the race. "The team did a good job and we had a good team and good tyres. Fernando's drive was superb and he has been superb right throughout the weekend in reality.

"I felt all the time that we were in control no matter what the opposition did. He made very few mistakes, if any, and was always in control."

The win gave Renault, who took over the Benetton team, their first victory since Alain Prost won in Austria in 1983. Alonso romped to victory, ending 16 seconds clear of McLaren's second-placed Kimi Raikkonen having led from start to finish after beginning from pole position.

McNish insists that Alonso's drive - in which he lapped teammate Jarno Trulli and Championship leader Michael Schumacher - showed his and the team's confidence.

"Fernando was gauging how hard to push even with Raikkonen behind him," said McNish. "He's pretty confident anyway, but it is very good for the team's confidence as well. We were wondering if Michael would know what a blue flag was for! He's not usually getting them himself - it's usually him overtaking others.

"I think Ferrari are struggling at the moment and that has left the title race wide open."