Rivals Unsure about Renault's True Pace

Renault's Formula One rivals are unsure about the French team's true pace following an impressive performance in today's qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Spaniard Fernando Alonso and Italian Jarno Trulli topped the times ahead of World Champion Michael Schumacher and Championship leader David Coulthard. Some rivals have suggested that the two drivers were running very low on fuel, while others believe Renault will be a real threat come Sunday.

The team's technical director Mike Gascoyne said they were "on the right strategy" to win the race.

Frank Williams, whose team's last win came in Malaysia in 2002 with Ralf Schumacher, was not ruling out a Renault surprise on Sunday having worked and won championships with the manufacturer in the past.

"They really have a superb racing car and they have always been a slick team," he said. "If you think of some of the races where (Giancarlo) Fisichella was very quick in the Benetton days with a customer engine it was clear they knew how to set up a chassis...hats off to them."

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart could also see Renault, whose current drivers both started with Minardi, surprising a few people at a circuit that favours a good chassis as much as outright power.

"They have got a fantastic chassis and two drivers who were spot on, no mistakes, it's all just come together. And they've been on it all weekend, it wasn't just qualifying," he said.

McLaren's Dennis suggested, however, that Renault might have sacrificed race performance for a one lap show.

"I think it explains a lot of things on the grid. Who knows what fuel or tyres Renault had, but there is no magic in motor racing. It's just physics and at the end of the day if a car goes quick that doesn't normally go quick, there's normally a good reason for it," he said.

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, second in Malaysia last season for Williams, agreed up to a point.

"If you see the Renaults going long (before a pitstop) tomorrow (Sunday) I'd be amazed," he said. "Very amazed. I think they'll be pitting pretty early. If Michael pits five laps later than them, they're done. But you never know. If Trulli is slow and Alonso is quick, maybe Alonso can get a window."