Flavio in dig at champ Alonso

[davewilson]

RENAULT boss Flavio Briatore has told double world champion Fernando Alonso: We can succeed without you.

Alonso has defected to rivals McLaren, leaving veteran Giancarlo Fisichella, 34, and rookie Heikki Kovalainen, 25, to spearhead the revamped Anglo-French team in the new Formula One season.

But speaking at the launch of Renault’s 2007 car in Amsterdam yesterday, Briatore insisted: “This is not a one-man band. I always believe it is the team that is most important.

“We showed that with Benetton and now with Renault. We have had four championships in the past two years — two drivers’ and two constructors’ — and with a very efficient budget.

“We have lost Fernando, who was an asset, but his departure has given the team extra motivation.” Fisichella has won just twice in the last two years, yet Briatore is predicting an upturn in his form.

He added: “I believe Fisichella and Heikki are good enough to win races and make it to the podium.

“Fisichella, for me, is better this year. And I’m sure Heikki will push him

a lot. He is not under more pressure. I think when you have Fernando Alonso as your team-mate, that is more pressure.”

The Stig