Renault to take risks on development

With Renault assured of fourth in the constructors' championship, Alonso's win completed the manufacturers list of goals for 2003. According to Dudot, this now gives the team the freedom to take more risks on its engine development as it attempts to move forward in competitiveness for 2004, when it will abandon its current wide-angle V10 in favour of a 'traditional' unit.

"The win in Hungary is special because of the effect it has had on all the members of the team," said Dudot. "In my opinion, this is the start of an exciting period for Renault, and we are gradually putting the pieces into place which will allow us to grow in competitiveness.

"Over the last few months, we have adopted a strategy of taking regular, small steps: this means we are not making spectacular gains each time, but they are nevertheless significant. Last Sunday's win allows us to take a few more calculated risks, because the team's targets for 2003 have now been met. Thus, we will spend this weekend trying to homologate an engine evolution for Monza: if it is approved, it should gain us one or two tenths through modifications to the cylinder head."

Dudot said that it was especially pleasing to score a victory with the revolutionary wide-angled engine, which has proven troublesome since its introduction.

"As we know, the RS23 has been a difficult project at times, and the people at Viry- Chatillon [Renault's French engine plant] have put a lot of effort in," he said. "It's true to say that the engine has given us some challenges to tackle, but I think this win is a just reward."