Flav has ‘protest’ trick up sleeve – report
As pre-race testing kicked off at the Italian circuit on Tuesday, the French squad – albeit with Fernando Alonso's 12-point lead in the drivers' chase – looked at least half a second slower than title rival Ferrari.
With its one-three in Turkey, Ferrari closed to within two points of Renault for the teams' crown with four races to go.
''It will probably be a tough race here next week,'' chief test engineer Christian Silk admitted.
Alonso will run at Monza on Wednesday, as will Schumacher for Ferrari.
The 'Auto Motor Und Sport' magazine in Germany, meanwhile, is reporting that Renault have a few ideas to trial this week as the team adapts to the banning of its 'mass dampers'.
It is claimed that engineers will re-distribute the weight of the 'R26' further forward, so as to improve the speed of the blue car off the line.
Renault is also testing a new Michelin tire construction and 'D' specification engine at Monza, while it is also claimed that team boss Flavio Briatore has a trick or two up his sleeve.
Reportedly, the Italian chief is preparing an unspecified official 'protest' against the legality of the Ferrari car.