So it's back to testing this week for all the teams in Formula 1 – and nowhere will it be more welcome than at Renault. The three races since the testing ban came into force have seen the engineers coming to terms with running the car without the mass damper system, but Monza will mark the first chance to full re-optimise the R26 away from the race track.

Not only that, but this is starting to look like one of the key test sessions of 2006. The Renault drivers will be evaluating the D spec engine developments that are scheduled to make their debut with Fernando in the Monza race, while also getting to grips with the low downforce Monza aero package.

And of course, Michelin are continuing to push 100% in their bid to take a second consecutive world championship with their partners at Renault.

"We have got a very intensive week of testing coming up with our partner teams," explained Michelin's F1 Director Nick Shorrock. "We have been working flat out since the start of the year, but over the last races we have looked at the whole picture again – and come up with plenty of new answers. We are testing compounds, lots of constructions and looking at how our partner teams exploit the tyres. Along with Renault, we have done our maximum with Renault so far this year – and now we need to get to the finish line in first position."

The Renault F1 Team will test for three days this week at Monza on the following timetable:

Tuesday, Fisichella/Kovalainen
Wednesday, Alonso/Fisichella
Thursday, Alonso/Kovalainen

Renault