Renault Not Conceding Constructors Title

Although the team succeeded in helping Fernando Alonso to the Drivers' Championship in Brazil last weekend, Renault lost the lead in the Constructors' Championship to McLaren for the first time this year.

And with McLaren's MP4-20 having been the pace-setter for the second half of the season, the Woking-based team are considered favourite to land the manufacturers' crown.

But that has not stopped Renault boss Flavio Briatore, and Renault's F1 chairman Patrick Faure from giving up on the title just yet.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Briatore said: "We'll see. Before 1999 nobody really remembered what it was, then Ferrari won it and it became important. Renault, who is a big car manufacturer, is very interested in [winning] it."

When asked what he believed Renault had in response to McLaren's car, Briatore added: "An exceptional drivers package. But, since the Spanish GP, Mercedes has an engine with at least 20 more horsepower.

"Our technicians are trying to recover that and, to an extent, they've managed to. We don't want to let the other title slip by, even though we've been overtaken. But it's only two points..."

Faure is equally optimistic about the constructors' situation - and believes that success there is important for the French car manufacturer.

"We have two races to fight for the Constructors' Championship and we have now to see who is going to win it, but we have a good chance.

"The drivers' is always the most important because it is the one that people remember, it is the one that is always in the media and the link between Alonso and Renault is very strong today in every media.

"But if we can add the constructors' to the drivers' it really means that you have dominated the season, that you are really the best, and that is why we want to win that one too."