Renault achieving its objectives

RenaultF1 chairman Patrick Faure had set the team goal as scoring four podium finishes in 2003 and that objective has been achieved with four races still to go. Fernando Alonso took the first two podiums with third place finishes in Malaysia and Brazil, then the third in Spain with second on the podium. Jrano Trulli completed the aim with third in Germany.

"Overall, we are in line with the objectives we set ourselves at the start of the year: four podiums this season," Faure told the Renault website. "Jarno's third place in Germany made sure of that. Recently, we have closed the gap again to the three teams ahead: in qualifying, at least one of the Williams, Ferrari or McLaren cars is behind us."

"Furthermore, the team behind us in fifth cannot really worry us, so we can be sure of retaining our championship position. Having said that, the steps we still have to take in the next years are bigger still: the hardest is yet to come."

Alonso showed well in the earlier part of the season and Trulli was unlucky at first. Recently the situation has been reversed somewhat but overall, Faure is happy with the performances of both drivers.

"We are pleased with Fernando's performances, although not surprised: we always knew he is extremely talented," he said. "Jarno was particularly unlucky at the start of the season, but has proved he is a force to be reckoned with in the last few races. He is an extremely fast racing driver."

On the subject of the Grand Prix World Championship, the threatened rival series by manufacturers aimed at coming into competition in 2008, Faure said negotiations are ongoing with the banks and Bernie Ecclestone. The GPWC would like to see more money go to the teams to safeguard the future of the sport.

"Our demands are that, in the future, a significantly greater portion of the revenues generated by F1 should be distributed to the teams: they are the people who create the show, and they need to receive more help," Faure explained.

"Our other request is that F1 should be managed like a normal company, with greater transparency. We are in the final phase of discussions on this matter, and I think we should find a solution towards the end of October."

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments