Renault Hoping for Podium Finish at Indianapolis

Renault hope to push at least one of the title contenders off the podium at Sunday's US Grand Prix.

"The engine upgrades we introduced in Italy will be run at Indy, which will help us down the straight," said technical director Mike Gascoyne in a team preview of the Indianapolis race. "I think we need to be looking to finish on the podium."

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher could clinch a record sixth Championship in the penultimate race of the season if results go his way in a three-way battle for the title.

The German leads Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, in a Williams, by three points and McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen by seven with only Japan remaining after Indianapolis. Williams are four points clear of Ferrari in the constructors' standings.

Renault have less horsepower than the front-runners but won in Hungary with Spaniard Fernando Alonso and their drivers could play a big part in deciding the title outcome by taking points off championship contenders.

"The length of the straight makes aerodynamic efficiency into one of the key factors and that is a strong point of the R23B," said Gascoyne. "In terms of our aerodynamic performance, we are still at the very top level relative to our competitors and that gives me confidence for the race."