What's more, the ten points – the French concern's greatest haul since the Japanese Grand Prix last year – have seen Renault move five points clear of rivals Toyota in the hotly-contested scrap over the highly-coveted fourth position in the constructors' rankings. Managing director Flavio Briatore afterwards argued that, luck or not, the R28 had been the fastest car in the race.

“This is an amazing victory for Renault and for Fernando,” the flamboyant Italian asserted. “Since Friday we knew that the car was very competitive, and we were very disappointed at the end of qualifying.

“Today the car was extremely quick – stronger than the Ferrari and McLaren – and although we had some luck when the safety car came out, we deserved this victory. It's a very important result for Renault after two difficult seasons, and helps us prepare for 2009 in the best way possible.”

“I think the luck we had in the early part of the race was nearly a cancellation of the bad luck we had yesterday,” added the Enstone-based outfit's executive director of engineering Pat Symonds. “The car has proven itself and so has Fernando. The whole result is a tribute to the team, and this wonderful circuit is a tribute to Singapore!”