Renault targets title fight

Renault president Patrick Faure issued a rallying call at the launch of the French manufacturer's new R25 in Monaco on Tuesday by setting the team's sights on a fight for the world championship

After finishing third overall behind Ferarri and BAR last season, Faure declared that progress must be made in 2005, and believed it was vital that the team secured a minimum of multiple race victories.

Speaking at the unveiling of the new car Faure was asked about whether there were any specific targets for the team and he replied: "Every year this is the major subject of disagreement between myself and managing director Flavio Briatore. Even if Flavio claims we are in competition and its important we put on a show, we have to remember that there is a big company behind us and we have to have results.

"We have hit our targets in this sport for 20 years now, and this year is likely to be another hard season. We have to fight for the championship and we have to win races. So by the end of the season we should be in a position to fight with top two or three teams for the title.

"We have to fight at the highest level and we have to be on the pace this year."

Renault boss Flavio Briatore was equally optimistic about the team's propects in 2005 and claims everything is in place now for the team to be able to at least fight at championship level. "We have to do better," he said. "You will never say you'll do worse. We finished third last year and I think after four years in Formula 1 we have found some stability.

"Rob White, Bob Bell and Bernard Dudot [the car and engine designers] have done a great job and now we are at the same level as other teams. We have seen the figures this car is producing, the feedback is good, there is no politics involved and we are all here to win."