Renault boss Flavio Briatore is confident his team can now look forward to an uplift in performance -- following an encouraging first outing for its new double-decker diffuser in China.

With Fernando Alonso having qualified on the front row in Shanghai last weekend, Briatore believes Renault is about to kick start its campaign having only scored points so far this year in Australia.

"The season starts here," Briatore told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I'm talking about Renault: we have these new diffusers, and we'll be able to take advantage of the KERS.

"It's a struggle, but Alonso is capable of great recoveries. In the second half of last season he scored more points than anyone else. I'm confident."

When asked if he felt Renault's year had been hurt by the diffuser row and Ross Brawn's involvement in the situation, Briatore said: "Mostly yes. But now we must think about closing the gap."