Where does Renault stand 30 days before? Piquet doesn’t know

Nelsinho Piquet stated that it was difficult to predict the level of competitiveness of Renault for the first race of the season in Australia.

The French team, world champions in 2005 and 2006, had to overcome numerous difficulties last year, finishing in third place in the constructors’ standings and achieving only one podium finish.

Their new car, the R28, and the return of Fernando Alonso have given Renault hope for 2008, even though the Spaniard said at the beginning of the season that the team was far behind Ferrari and McLaren.

Piquet admits it is difficult to say where Renault stands today.

« It’s very difficult to predict. Everyone is asking the same question. Some days, we are faster than BMW or Williams and other days, it’s the opposite. So it’s hard to forecast anything, » said Piquet to reporters during testing in Jerez.

« Last year, we always tried to compare ourselves to other teams, especially those that made everyone dream, namely McLaren and Ferrari. In the end, we were very far behind. »

« In 2007, we learned something very important: Never consider our position as dramatic because whether we are fast or not, we know we are always at 100 percent to ensure the car performs at its best. »

« So, to be honest, some days I think we are very good and other days, we are a little less so. It depends on what everyone does, » he continued.

« Our plan is to improve ourselves. And how many teams are behind us, we will only know in Australia. »