Alonso Dedicates Singapore Podium to Briatore

One year ago, the Marina Bay Circuit was the site of Renault's most overwhelming Formula One win in years. After a season of struggle, the Enstone based team had finally won a race in the championship. Less than a year after, their triumph proved to be the result of race fixing. However, only days after being handed a 2-year suspended ban by the FIA, Renault returned to greatness with their maiden podium of the season, also in Singapore.

After his 3rd place on Sunday, Fernando Alonso's first words went to his former team manager Flavio Briatore. While still confident that the 59-year old Italian is innocent in the whole crash-gate scandal, the 2-time world champion dedicated his maiden podium in 2009 to Briatore.

“It has been a difficult time for the team. Now we put that behind us and we concentrate on the remaining races. I dedicate this podium to Flavio (Briatore) at home as he is part of the success we had today,” said Alonso at the post-race press conference.

Bob Bell, the very man who replaced Briatore at the helm of the Renault F1 Team, also admitted his surprise and excitement over Alonso's performance, especially since it comes in a time when the Enstone based team is clearly recovering from the immense scandal they have been dragged into in recent weeks.

“Today was absolutely fantastic. It's wonderful to get a podium at any time but to get one after what the team has just been through is really positive and gives us great strength to move on now. Everybody in the team will now go to the final three races very buoyed by this result because it shows that the team can fight for the podium,” added Bell after the race.

Alonso's 3rd place in Singapore lifted the Spaniard some 3 places in the drivers classification – 8th place overall – while also helping Renault pass BMW Sauber for 7th place in the manufacturers' standings.