Grid Crasher’s verdict so far on Flavio Briatore’s team

RENAULT
Drivers Nelsinho Piquet (Brazil) & Fernando Alonso (Spain)
Championship points 15

Read our verdict on Renault below:

Jenson Button “wouldn’t normally wear this”

Last week we told you about Petra Ecclestone’s F1 fashion show, which took place a couple of days before Sunday’s Monaco GP. Today we show you the best pics from the charity event, plus a video shot backstage.

The first model we present is Jenson Button, who is seen here wearing an outfit that we describe as “Metrosexual Bavarian”. Jens said of the outfit: “I like it… I really like it…” but perhaps the look in his eyes told a different story. You decide.

Grid Crasher looks at the big-name drivers yet to score in 2008

1. Nelson Piquet Jnr (Renault)

No points in five races is a tight spot to be in, especially when your team-mate is Fernando Alonso and your car is crap. Piquet Jnr looks the part and he has an impeccable pedigree, but his father’s name is not going to help him drive any faster. Alonso has massively outperformed the rookie Brazilian so far this season, and that’s not about to change. Renault is starting to think seriously about replacing its second-string driver. Its sporting manager, Steve Nielsen, said of Piquet: “He needs to start having more good bits than the bad bits, and he needs to start doing that as soon as he can.”

Verdict: More half Nelson than full Nelson. Won’t last the season.