Problems with new Renault?

(GMM) The opening test of Renault's 2009 car did not proceed as planned for the French team, the Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell reports.

Although the Portimao test was badly marred by the weather last week, it is suggested that Renault struggled with the early performance of the new R29.

The aerodynamics of the unique-looking racer is apparently the culprit, and at the end of the only dry day in Portugal last week, Fernando Alonso was easily the slowest of the four new cars.

The Motorsport Aktuell report is backed up by suggestions last week in the Spanish press, where Alonso was said to have complained bitterly about the car's low-speed handling.

The Spaniard did not make his concerns public, as he told the sports daily Marca: "The main thing is that there were no technical problems; the times are not important."

Marca said Alonso will only turn his attention to performance at the last two tests, beginning at Jerez, prior to the start of the season in Australia.

"Hopefully we can make some good progress with the performance of the car there," the 27-year-old driver said.