Briatore: Friday testing is key to success

Speaking at the Swiss launch of the R23, Briatore was confident that the extra tyre testing and set-up work the team will complete on a grand prix weekend more than compensates for the extra testing miles their rivals cover throughout the season.

"I know lots of big teams did not consider the option, they thought it was something that applied to just the smaller team," he said. "However, our budget is still the same - we will keep our test team intact, but we will use the two hours on Friday mornings very effectively. I believe this is the right way for the future and I hope I'm right.

"In Friday session we can use whatever tyres we like, just so long as we use Michelins," he continued. "We will have three cars available, which should allow us to try all the options. In the past I've heard engineers complain that track conditions are different at races from tests, but this will give us the closest possible conditions to those for the race.

"This isn't cost-cutting - I just hope the other teams do not copy me!"

Last season Renault finished fourth in the constructors' standings, but Briatore was unwilling to set a performance target for the coming year.

"Don't ask me about that, I only know what I see on paper," he admitted. "Renault looks to have got its act together, but I don't know, I'm not an engine man."