Flavio: I don't rate Ferrari or McLaren's chances.

Renault F1 team boss, Flavio Briatore has dismissed the prospects of their two key rivals, Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes and has predicted that both will struggle during 2007.

Indeed Briatore reckons that it goes without saying that the Scuderia won't be so competitive, given that they have lost Michael Schumacher - statistically the most successful driver in the history of the sport, with seven drivers' titles to his credit - and Ross Brawn, the team's technical director and master strategist, who is currently on a one-year sabbatical.

Flavio also isn't worried about McLaren, given that did not win in 2006, the first time in over a decade that they did not triumph at a least one grand prix during a season.

"Ferrari without Schumacher and Brawn will be less competitive," Briatore confirmed to the online version of the Daily Mail. "That's normal when you lose people like those.

"As for McLaren it will be a tough year for them [too]. I see them having difficulties. They've always had fantastic drivers like [Kimi] Raikkonen: they always announce them early to demonstrate they're changing, but this year the book of excuses has come to its last page."

Whether or not Briatore's predictions will prove correct remains to be seen, but while McLaren will have two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso and Ferrari will be lead by Kimi Raikkonen, Renault's driver line-up is definitely not so strong.

Indeed the regie will have to rely on Giancarlo Fisichella to lead the team after Alonso's defection - and his form in 2006 and 2005, suggests that he will need to step up a couple of notches if he is to manage that feat and help ensure Renault remain at the top of the drivers' and constructors' championships.