Symonds adamant Renault will catch up

"Absolutely, I think we've got a few things in place and indeed in the last couple of weeks we've closed up on two of them at any rate," said Symonds after last week's Bahrain test.

"Our expectations are good ­ it will be harder for us than it has been in the last couple of years ­ but we'll be there to fight. I'm very pleased with the progress over the last few days of Bahrain testing."

Renault, world champions for the past two seasons, have been unable to match the pace of rivals Ferrari or McLaren during winter testing, with Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella admitting they were still off their rivals' form ahead of the start of the season in Australia.

Since his comments, however, the team have made progress in testing and expect to be closer to the front in Melbourne.

Although Ferrari have been the pace-setters during the winter, Symonds reckons the Italian squad will not be able to stay in front of their rivals for much longer.

"Go back 12 months and you could have said the same about Renault but it's never that easy," Symonds added.

"Last two years, Renault have had a great start to the season but as the year has progressed, others have caught up and it will happen again with Ferrari."