Renault's Ghosn bins 'Alonso factor' theory

Chief executive Carlos Ghosn insists that Renault's trough in 2007 can not be attributed solely to the departure of back to back world champion Fernando Alonso.

_{source: GMM}

With the young Spaniard at the wheel, Enstone based Renault soared to the drivers' and constructors' titles both last year and in 2005.

After five races this season, however, Giancarlo Fisichella and rookie Heikki Kovalainen have delivered only enough points for a distant fourth in the teams' battle.

But Ghosn told the specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport: "If you are 1.5 seconds per lap behind, you can not talk too much about an 'Alonso factor'.

Ghosn told reporters in Monaco last weekend that the carmaker remained committed to formula one but only if Renault ultimately returned to a more competitive position in the future.

He said: "As the double world champions we cannot be content with the current situation.

"But the (team's bosses) have assured me that the problems will shortly have been fully identified and repaired."