Flav happy with 'normal' motor

For the last two years, Renault has used a radical wide-angle unit but scrapped it for this season, in part because of the new one-engine ruling.

"The rules have changed and we have no control over them," said Briatore, explaining the decision to switch to a more conventional powerplant, labelled the RS24. "We've gone back to a normal angle, and there's more capacity to be competitive. This is the first time that I've been happy with what we've got from the start of the year."

Briatore echoed the comments of Renault president Patrick Faure, saying that the team needed to progress in 2004 before a title challenge next season.

"It's a big responsibility to roll out our new car, but after three years in Formula 1, we're on the pace. Sure, we're not on the pace of all the other teams, and we need a bit of time, but we're a young team and we have made progress. In 2005 we want to be ready for the title and this year we just want to do our best.

"We won't know where we stand until Melbourne. We're up against the best in motorsport, but we were there or thereabouts in 2002. In 2003 we were close to McLaren and Williams, and I want to start the season as close as possible, to Williams, McLaren and Ferrari. We must try all we can."