Renault Expecting to Shine in Monaco

Renault's technical director Mike Gascoyne is confident their Michelin-shod R202 car will shine in the streets of Monte Carlo next weekend.

"The track will definitely suit our car," said Gascoyne in the French team's preview. "We have always known that it is good in terms of mechanical grip and this will be one of the most competitive races so far. Last year it was our strongest race in the first half of the season.

"We have a number of aerodynamic developments on the car that will represent a reasonable step forward in overall performance and will improve our competitiveness even further."

The French squad, who took over from the Benetton team this year to make their official return as a team, have shone so far in 2002, but the Enstone-based outfit have lost the opportunity to score important points due to their reliability problems.

Briton Jenson Button, in his second season with the team, have scored all eight points for Renault so far in six races, while his Italian teammate Jarno Trulli is yet to finish in the top six after being constantly hit by mechanical problems.

The 27-year old Pescaran has retired in four of the six races so far in 2002, but Trulli is confident of scoring his first points of the season at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

"We know the car will be good," said Trulli. "I am really confident about this weekend. You have to take the positives from a weekend like Austria, and although I had a problem with qualifying, I was in contention for points in the race until the engine blew.

"It's strange because in one sense, the problems have seen me working closely with the team under real pressure, and I have established a great relationship with everybody. I feel sad for them because they work so hard to give me a reliable car and I am looking forward to my first points for the satisfaction of the team and myself."