Briatore: Renault must fight for wins

"I believe that Renault need to be fighting for podiums and fighting for winning races, we need to be protagonists of the show," Briatore said during the official launch of the new car, the R28, in Paris on Thursday.

"There is only one winner of the championship, so it is not easy, but we need to be there fighting for the podiums and a 50 percent chance each time we start to be in the top four."

Carlos Ghosn, president of the Renault Group, said 2007 had been a disaster for the French outfit, world champions in 2005 and 2006.

The Brazilian admits the team must now return to the top.

"I am going to use the reference of Flavio Briatore who qualified the year 2007, he said: 'It was a disaster.' So it was a disaster and we ended up in position three, so if number three is a disaster you are left with two choices," said Ghosn.

"I have a preference for one of them, but I will keep that to myself. I am confident, I've been at tests and we have great drivers and a great team. We are a team of winners and I hope we meet the expectations of the public."

Fernando Alonso returns to the team after his short stint at McLaren, and Briatore says having the Spaniard back is a big motivational factor the Renault.

Alonso will be partnered by Nelsinho Piquet, son of three-time champion Nelson.

"I think he has improved a little bit. He has come back home and last year he had a very good season," said Briatore of Alonso.

"Fernando back in Renault is a big motivation, we are very happy, we know him for many years. To have him back is fantastic for Renault, for the team and our partners.

"Nelsinho is a good asset, we have another young driver. People always talk about why we don't have a French driver, but we also achieve to have a super young French driver for the future. I am happy.

"We start the season with a high motivation and we want to be the best."