Renault: the championship starts here

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher dominated the Monza race as Renault completed a dismal weekend.

As the most successful driver in Formula One history celebrated a 90th career win, he slashed world champion Fernando Alonso's overall lead from 12 to two points with just three races remaining.

The Renault driver, controversially relegated five places on the starting grid for impeding Schumacher's teammate Felipe Massa in qualifying, pulled over with a blown engine 10 laps from the end while in third place.

Renault teammate Giancarlo Fisichella limited the damage to them in the constructors' standings with fourth place, but Ferrari took the lead anyway, three points ahead of the French squad.

"This was a tough weekend for the team in every respect," said Symonds. "We all feel very sorry for Fernando, who endured troubles on and off the track here in Monza.

"It was a bitter blow to lose an engine for the first time in nearly three years with a failure in the bottom end, and especially after he had overcome his qualifying penalty to secure a podium finish. Fisi drove a strong race today, and his fourth position is well deserved.

"Looking at the standings, things are clearly very tight. At Renault, we have nothing to lose, and will be racing aggressively until the last lap of the last race. We know the car is quick, and that we have plenty of upgrades coming in the weeks ahead.

"To all intents and purposes, the world championship starts here."

Team boss Flavio Briatore, critical again the FIA's decision to penalise Alonso after qualifying, said Renault will fight hard to retain both titles.

"Nobody is ever happy to break an engine, but that is part of the sport," said Briatore. "The problem comes when it is not just the sport that influences the outcome of races and championships.

"Now, we have to prepare properly for the three final races of the season. The team is strong, and we are still fighting very hard."