Tech boss sets record straight over Benetton woes

Benetton has struggled so far this season with its new Renault powerplant, which features some radical innovations, but rumours had also surfaced questioning the rigidity of its B201 chassis.

"The story of chassis flex is pure bollocks," Gascoyne told Autosport magazine. "The chassis is substantially stiffer than the B200's. We know where the problems are with this car and it's not about chassis stiffness."

Gascoyne admits the problems are being caused by Renault's revolutionary 111-degree V10 engine, but says the unit can work in harmony with his chassis.

"I'm confident the problems with the engine are nothing to do with the concept," he added. "Renault has a history of taking large steps - the turbo, pneumatic valves. They spend a year blowing things up then everyone else spends the next six years trying to catch them.

"The best engine people in the world are staking their reputations on this engine, and given Renault's past F1 history, I think you'd be mad to bet against them."

The weakness of a major engine component is understood to be the root cause of the Enstone team's problems, and a fix will not be ready for a couple of weeks.

Despite its troubles, Giancarlo Fisichella scored the team's first point of the season in the Brazilian Grand Prix a fortnight ago.