Renault launch: 'Modest' target set

Renault is aiming to finish fourth in the Formula 1 constructors' championship in its first year as a full-blown factory Grand Prix team since 1985

Motorsport boss Patrick Faure described the aims of the team formerly known as Benetton as "fairly modest" at the unveiling of the new R202 racer in Paris this morning (Sunday).

"Although we have to be hopeful, we do not want to be arrogant like other teams have been," Faure said. "Our hope is to progress and finish as close as possible to the top three teams. We will be disappointed if we are not fourth, but it is more important that we are close to the top three [in performance]."

Faure added that the aim is to make enough progress this year to begin winning races in 2003 and be ready for a championship challenge a year later.

Flavio Briatore, the man charged with running Renault's F1 assault, believes the strength of the team lies in the combination of people and resources from the British base at Enstone and the French factory where the engines are built: "We have created a team that I think is strong," said the Italian. "We have amalgamated the French and UK bases quickly because we have people with good track records at both. It will be difficult for us, but in our first year as Renault we want to get the job done."