Briatore sought fresh challenge

Trulli announced at the German Grand Prix that he would leave Renault at the end of the year which was followed by the team confirming that Sauber's Giancarlo Fisichella would take his compatriot's place at Renault from 2005.

Trulli is expected to line up alongside Ralf Schumacher at Toyota next year which Briatore believes will be good for both the Italian and for the Renault team.

"It was a very tough decision because Renault is competitive thanks to Trulli," Briatore told Gazzeta dello Sport. "Jarno and Fernando are friends. We need competition within the team in order to improve the performance, in order to motivate Alonso, who at 23 is our man for the future."

It seemed that Trulli's seat at Renault was guaranteed next year after being the only driver besides Michael Schumacher to take a win this season and after heading Alonso in the championship standings.

But a string of mistakes, most notably his faux pas on the last lap of the French Grand Prix when he allowed Rubens Barrichello through to take third spot, angered his Renault bosses.

"I have peace of mind over Trulli," Briatore added. "I started managing him when he was racing in F3 in the German championship, we have been together for 10 years. Now he must go on alone. He's a fine driver and a brave man."

Fisichella claimed that his move to the Anglo-French team provides him with his best opportunity of fighting for the championship in the next two years, aspirations that he shares with Briatore.

"What we are giving Fisichella is the chance of his life," said Briatore. "Next year we expect to be fighting for the title and he will play an important role."