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Formula One: Alonso dedicates Singapore podium to Briatore

08:30 AEST Mon Sep 28 2009

AFP

Fernando Alonso on Sunday dedicated his podium finish in the Singapore Grand Prix to disgraced former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore.

The flamboyant Italian has been banned from the sport indefinitely for his involvement in the race-fixing scandal here last year when Nelson Piquet junior was ordered to crash.

It allowed Alonso, who was cleared of any wrongdoing, to controversially win, and he was relieved to get on the podium again and put the incident behind him.

"The team has been fantastic, all season we had a fantastic team," said the Spaniard, who came home behind winner Lewis Hamilton and the second-placed Timo Glock.

"The mechanics and engineers, everyone in the factory, did the maximum, and sometimes we got some good results and sometimes were a bit unlucky.

"But this podium in a particular moment after what happened... it has been a difficult time for the team, now we put it behind us and we concentrate on the remaining races.

"And I dedicate this podium to Flavio at home as he has been behind it."

Renault went into the race with technical director Bob Bell at the helm after he was promoted to acting principal for the remaining few races of the season after Briatore and chief engineer Pat Symonds were forced out.

It was Renault's first podium of a tough 2009 season but Alonso said it would not make any difference to his decision with which team to drive for next year.

He has been tipped for a move to Ferrari to replace Kimi Raikkonen.

Giving nothing away, the double world champion said he had already made up his mind.

"I don't think the podium changes the decision on who I drive for next season," he said.

"I have taken the decision already. You will know soon."

mp/pst

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