Technical boss Bob Bell insists hard work and constant development has propelled Renault up the 2008 grid, amid wild rumours of FIA favouritism.

Germany's usually more sensible Sport Bild is repeating outlandish speculation that the radical progress of the R28 car could be the product of some sort of secret preferential deal between the previously struggling team and the governing body.

The Enstone built car has struggled for front running pace for most of the season, but Fernando Alonso recorded back to back wins in Singapore and Fuji, causing Bell to claim that "we now have an advantage over BMW".

The astonishing turnaround has however led to the implausible report about furtive performance assistance by the Paris based FIA - such as secretly allowing traction control or mass dampers - with Max Mosley perhaps fearing the sport could lose the French manufacturer.

Technical director Bob Bell has a more rational explanation. "We have placed great emphasis on constantly developing our car and we have taken several new parts to each race this season."

As well as the new parts, Bell explains that team engineers simply now understand the chassis better, leading to better in-race tyre management and giving the drivers confidence to "go and find that extra bit of performance".