Renault ready to raise its game

Jarno Trulli's fourth position and Fernando Alonso's sixth place moved Renault past Williams-BMW - albeit 29 points behind Ferrari. Renault's engine operations manager Denis Chevrier says that phase one of its programme is now complete, and a more aggressive stance on the engine front will become evident from the next round in San Marino.

"I think the whole team is satisfied with where we are at the moment in terms of the championship, although we know that we could have performed better at the individual races," said Chevrier. "Our aim for the first three races of the season was to achieve good reliability, and score points.

"We have emphatically done so, maintaining our 100 per cent points-scoring record with another double points finish in Bahrain. To return to Europe in second place in the constructors' championship is an excellent position from which to build some momentum.

"Our objective over the winter was very clear for the initial phase of the season: take a reliable car to the first three races, make the best use of it, and then begin introducing steps on the performance side when we returned to Europe, without compromising our good work in terms of durability. We have evolutions scheduled for introduction at Imola, and there is every reason to hope we can continue moving forward in the races to come."