Dassas upbeat about Renault's future

Dassas is leaving Renault to become chief financial officer at Nissan, and is being replaced by Bernard Rey later this month.

Speaking following the announcement of the move, Dassas said that he believed Renault had the financial and technical capabilities to get back to full competitiveness in 2008.

"The team is already working hard preparing for the 2008 season, and the target is obviously to return to the front of the field, where Renault belongs," he said. "So far, the situation looks positive and on the financial side, everything is in place for the team to do so.

"The team's title partner, ING, has demonstrated a strong commitment to the sport and is already one of the best known in Formula One. We have established a very good working relationship between the two companies at every level.

"In addition, we recently announced a substantial programme of technology investment at Enstone to ensure the team maintains its on-track competitiveness. Motivation is very high, and I am confident the team can be competitive from 2008."

Having presided over Renault's two world championship titles in 2005 and 2006, Dassas has nothing but pride for what the team achieved when he was there.

"Overall, it has been a very fruitful period," he explained. "On track, the team won two world championships last year, and behind the scenes, we have made genuine progress.

"Firstly, the commercial agreement between the teams and FOM that was reached last year enabled Renault to reinforce its long-term commitment to Formula One.

"Secondly, we have established an extensive programme to leverage the Formula One programme at every level of the Renault Group. This is to ensure that the company derives maximum benefit from its involvement and success in the sport."