Portimao, Portugal - The mood has been sober during Formula One testing this week on the Portuguese Algarve with many of those involved in the sport more concerned about merely making it through the 2009 season than the upcoming battle for championship points.

"It's about surviving," said Renault team principal Favio Briatore candidly at the circuit in Portimao, where testing by five F1 teams continues until Thursday. "We have never had such a critical moment as this one."

Portimao, Portugal  - If his optimism and his coolness are anything to go by, Fernando Alonso has half a Formula 1 title - the third of his personal count - in his pocket already, even before the 2009 season starts on March 29 in Australia.

In southern Portugal, where the year's first joint tests were being held until Thursday, only one word could take away the Spaniard's smile: Ferrari.

"I've been having to answer that question for five years," he complained at a press conference in the brand new Portimao circuit, when asked by a journalist.

Portimao, Portugal  - Formula 1 is going through an unprecedented crisis and is fighting "to survive," in the eyes of key player Flavio Briatore, managing director of the Renault team.

"This is a crucial moment for Formula 1," Briatore warned Monday in the Portimao circuit in southern Portugal.

Following the first day of joint tests, he stressed he wants "to secure the chance to survive the crisis and improve business" in the main category of world motorsport.

Portimao, Portugal - Renault and Williams unveiled their cars for 2009 Formula

Buenos Aires  - A spectator was seriously injur