Renault boss Flavio Briatore believes that Brawn GP already have the Formula One world title in the bag.
Renault boss unhappy with season
Renault team principal Flavio Briatore believes that this year's Formula One title race is already over.
Fernando Alonso currently lies seventh in the drivers' standings, with the team a massive 75 points behind Brawn GP in the constructor table after only six races.
Briatore thinks that the gap in performance to Ross Brawn's cars will not be able to be overhauled before the end of the season.
"We are not happy at all," the Italian said. "We were expecting a different championship and a much better performance from our car.
"When we arrived in Australia we felt there was a big difference between us and the Brawns. I think everybody felt that.
Finished
"Our team approached the 2009 car from a completely different angle, although we expected to improve race by race, if at all possible.
"But (for) me the championship is finished already. Brawn is very, very difficult to beat for anybody.
"Maybe Red Bull have a good chance of finishing second, with everybody else fighting for third and fourth place. This is the honest situation."
The team's young Brazilian driver, Nelson Piquet, has had a very disappointing season so far, not having scored a single point in the first six races.
Pressure is mounting on Piquet and there are rumours he could be replaced by the Hungarian Grand Prix unless there is a significant improvement in his form.
Tough
The 24-year-old knows his performances are coming under increased scrutiny but insists he can handle the extra pressure.
"I have been through a lot of tough moments the last two years," said Piquet.
"I have a hard team, a hard boss and a hard team-mate which is going to help me a lot in the future. I admit it has been a difficult season, I know that. I didn't imagine coming to the seventh race without any points.
"But criticism is going to be around my whole life, so it's nothing that bothers me; it won't make me go quicker or slower.
"I know there are plenty of other drivers hitting the door wanting to come in, so it's normal for a team to put pressure on a driver. But then I put the pressure on myself, although this is not enjoyable right now.
