RACE RESULT 1 M Schumacher (Ferrari) 2 R Barrichello (Ferrari) 3 F Alonso (Renault) 4 R Schumacher (Williams) 5 JP Montoya (Williams) 6 J Button (BAR) 7 J Trulli (Renault) 8 D Coulthard (McLaren) Race result in full Ferrari surprised by edge Raikkonen slates McLaren Race as it happened

The Spaniard, who finished third behind the two Ferraris in Australia, said Renault would be on the pace by the San Marino Grand Prix on 25 April.

"We have a few steps on the engine for the European races, and I think we can be competitive," the 22-year-old said.

"For us, the first three races of the season are just for getting some points on the board."

And Michael Schumacher, who rates Alonso very highly, warned that Renault would be strong as the season progressed.

"He (Alonso) has a strong car, they are very quick, very consistent... he's all right as a driver," Schumacher said.

Race in pictures

"There are races coming which may suit them more than us, and it would be unfair to judge his whole season on just one race."

Renault engineering director Pat Symonds said it was a "bit of a shock to come to the first race and see Ferrari dominate like that".

He added: "As a team, we have shown we can make progress during a season. It's not all over yet - we'll just redouble our efforts to catch them.

Ferrari surprised by lead

"It is hard to be disappointed with getting a podium at the first race, but hats off to Ferrari: we all have a lot of work to do to catch them. But we will."

Renault have changed their engine philosophy for this season, abandoning the radical wide-angle engine they have used since 2001.

That engine, which was under-powered, over-weight and unreliable, has been replaced by a more conventional engine.

It is based on the V10 with which Renault dominated the sport in the mid-1990s and will be updated to make its technology more cutting edge as the season progresses.

Symonds said: "The car's level of competitiveness was pretty much what we had expected.

"I am particularly pleased with the engine: it has more torque, more power and has been 100% reliable over the three days."