Renault Target Top Three with New R24

The Renault F1 team on Thursday officially launched their 2004 challenger - the R24 - in an event held in Palermo, in southern Italy.

The car, which had been unveiled at the Barcelona circuit last week, has already been tested by both racing drivers Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli. The Italian was driving the new machine at the Valencia circuit until yesterday.

The R24, with which the French squad hope to improve last year's fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, has been conceived by a team led by chief designer Mark Smith, under the guidance of new technical director Bob Bell.

Renault Chairman Patrick Faure said the team's target for 2004 is to fight Ferrari, Williams and McLaren for a place in the top three.

"We must look to dislodge at least one of the teams above us in the Championship," said Faure. "One can no longer just talk about the top three teams: last year, we became part of the big four.

"Renault's targets for this year are, logically, placed higher, and in order to achieve them, absolute reliability will be critical. The correct steps were taken last year in order to ensure this, and we are confident we will attain this target from Melbourne onwards."

The French squad scored one win last season. Renault said the car is an evolution of the R23, which will be powered by the new RS24 engine, designed to meet the new one-engine-per-weekend regulations.

Managing director Flavio Briatore is also confident of a strong 2004 season.

"I enter this new season feeling confident," said Briatore. "Everything is in place, both at Enstone and at Viry-Chatillon, for us to have a fast and reliable car. We are looking forward to sharing a successful year.

"As a team, I certainly don't think we have yet attained our maximum."