Renault look to complete hattrick on tracks

Sakhir, Bahrain: Bahrain has been a happy hunting ground for defending world champions Renault, and they are in a hurry to build up on their success here.

"Sakhir is a circuit that Renault knows so well, we won the last two races here and we spent two weeks testing here in the winter [in February]. Hopefully, we can make some more progress compared to Malaysia," ING Renault F1 Team driver Giancarlo Fisichella said.

Satisfying result

The Italian - the oldest driver on the F1 circuit this season - took sixth place in Sepang last week.

"I am proud of how I raced in Sepang. It's not many points, but they will all be important for us this year," Fisichella said.

"Given our circumstances, it's a satisfying result, and encouraging for this weekend at Sakhir. Hopefully, we can make some progress compared to Malaysia."

Renault have enjoyed a huge success in Bahrain, winning twice here, thanks to world champion Fernando Alonso, now with McLaren.

"I still need to improve and work hard along with the team. But I am confident we all have what it takes to improve our pace," Kovalainen said.

Executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, agreed: "We raced well [in Kuala Lumpur] and that's encouraging. Both our drivers drove solid and the car was more consistent."