Renault Reassure Alonso over Engine

Renault have reassured Formula One leader Fernando Alonso about his car's engine for Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix after problems at the last race in Hungary

Engines must last for two races in a row and both the Spaniard and Italian teammate Giancarlo Fisichella will have to use the same ones with which they failed to score points in Budapest on July 31.

However, Renault engine technical director Rob White said there was no cause for concern.

"Giancarlo had a small problem in the fuel cell that caused fuel pressure drops and an engine misfire towards the end of each run," he explained on Tuesday. "The problem has been diagnosed and fixed for the next race.

"We do not anticipate any after-effects in Turkey.

"As for Fernando, his problems came from the collision with Ralf Schumacher at the start of the race," added White.

"The bodywork damage on the right side of the car was impairing oil cooling. Countermeasures were taken to get to the end of the race and the engine is in good shape for Turkey."

Alonso leads McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen by 26 points in the Championship with six races remaining.

Sunday's inaugural Grand Prix at a new circuit on the Asian side of Istanbul is likely to be one of the hottest of the season, imposing an added stress on cars and drivers.

"I expect the temperatures to be very hot, so managing the tyres will be the first priority for us," said Alonso, winner of six of the 13 races so far.

"When temperatures are very high, we can lose up to three kilos through sweating in the car. So we need to be in top physical form as well as getting the car to perform to its best level," said the 24-year-old.