Renault needs more speed

(GMM) A team chief has admitted publicly that Renault, after winning the past two world championships, is not setting the pace with its new 'R27' car for 2007.

Testing time sheets from the winter sessions indicate that McLaren, Ferrari and even BMW are putting the French squad in the shade, as it prepares for its first season since 2003 without Fernando Alonso in the cockpit.

"We are realistic enough to know we need to find more speed," engineering chief Pat Symonds said on Friday.

The Briton said the main problem is getting the most out of Bridgestone's new control tire for a single lap, but confessed that Renault drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen usually trail the leading pace by "several tenths" also on long runs.

He continued: "We are discussing the matter with Bridgestone.

"We are not worried, but when you are not on top of the pile, then you have to be honest enough to admit it –- and knuckle down to try and find the speed.

"We are working bloody hard at it," Symonds added.