Renault to stay in F1 'for many years'

"Abandon as losers? Never. In any case we'll stay in F1 for many years," Ghosn was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

The French outfit were champions in 2005 and 2006 but endured a poor 2007 season.

This year the team have scored worse results than at this point last season, despite the return of two-time champion Fernando Alonso.

Ghosn admitted he is not happy with the current situation, but he is confident the team will fight back in the second part of the season.

"The fruits of our work on the way to recovery will be seen in the second part of the season. It's clear that I'm not happy with the results," he added.

Ghosn also said he welcomed the FIA's drive to reduce costs, but dismissed the impression that Renault are spending less money than their rivals.

"We like FIA's policy of cost reduction, but it's not true that we spend less than the others, otherwise we would not have been world champions twice in the last three years."

And the Brazilian is optimistic Alonso will find a reason to stay at the team beyond this season, although he is aware that Renault will have to give the Spaniard a competitive car in order to keep him.

"Fernando is very important, he's given motivation and argumentations to the team, he is a fighter and a honest person. It's up to us to give him a good car. I'm confident he'll stay with us," Ghosn added.

"No marriage resists in F1 with a lack of results. Everyone in the team knows we must do more."