Renault's Wins Ease CEO Doubts

That is the view of outgoing chairman Louis Schweitzer, who is stepping down from his position at the end of April, after backing the French car manufacturer's recent assault on F1.

There has been widespread speculation that Ghosn, who is not as big a supporter of motor racing activities as Schweitzer, may pull the plug on the F1 operation if he felt that the company was not getting enough of a return on the millions of pounds it costs to compete.

But speaking on French radio station Radio Classique on Saturday, Schweitzer boldly declared that he felt confident Ghosn would give the green light to Renault's continued participation in F1.

"To win in Formula One, you need a winning strategy," said Schweitzer. "To lose in F1, that does not need any strategy and you are throwing money up in the air.

"I must say that my successor thinks like me: if one wins in Formula One, it is necessary to remain there."

Renault already appear to have lived up to pre-season predictions of being able to fight for the World Championship this year, although the French manufacturer is taking nothing for granted with Ferrari about to unleash the F2005 at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Schweitzer believes that the new rules introduced this year, which demand long-life engines and tyres, have played a key part in allowing the team to start so strongly.

"We have good drivers, a good chassis and good engines," he said. "The new rules mean that being at the top is easier, because one does not survive on previous inertia."