Renault boss Flavio Briatore has admitted to disappointment with title leader Fernando Alonso’s seventh place in qualifying at Hockenheim. The Spaniard has been consistently one second per lap slower than championship protagonist Michael Schumacher in Germany, and was even beaten by team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella as a distinct slump in form emerges.

“A lot will depend on strategy and tyre performance in the race,” Briatore insisted, “but still I expected some more from today.”

Alonso, meanwhile - who turned 25 on Saturday - showed his frustration by shaking his fist at Schumacher’s red Ferrari after an incident in the pit lane.

“He didn’t do what he is obliged to do,” said Alonso, who suggested that Schumacher’s failure to give way in the pits is being investigated by the Stewards.

Fernando Alonso hit out at his championship rival Michael Schumacher today in Germany. The Spaniard claimed the German lacks respect after an incident during the final 15 minutes of qualifying when Schumacher was waved out of the Ferrari garage just as Alonso was driving along the same part of the pit-lane.

“I nearly crashed,” Alonso moaned. “I was in the fast lane and then he came out in front of me. He left the pits without looking and I think the Stewards are looking into it, but when you are driving down the pit-lane you have the priority and he doesn’t respect that.”

[GMM]