Renault have got to do it this year. They gave themselves a year off in 2001, to develop the car for 2002, so fourth is the very minimum they can finish in the championship. They are no longer Benetton, a company uninvolved in the automotive business; they are Renault, a heavy-hitter in the automobile world with an excellent Formula One track record. They have inherited a considerable reputation to live up to.

Now the new administration comes on stream too. Flavio Briatore heads the chassis effort in England, of course, but moving up into an administrative role in France is Jean-Jacques His, who takes over from Christian Contzen. He was formerly very much involved in a technical role, but now becomes managing director of the engine side.

The team, thankfully, has otherwise remained stable, although there are rumours that Pat Symonds, who has been with the team since Toleman moved into Formula One, has been made an offer by Jordan. Otherwise, little has changed on the engineering side, but Jarno Trulli has swapped with Giancarlo Fisichella and Fernando Alonso has swapped places with Mark Webber, to become test driver.

This year, Renault join Jaguar, both Honda teams and Sauber challenging for fourth place behind the big three, but in theory, Renault should be challenging for at least third place, if not better. The question is, will they?

Early indications were not particularly good. Trulli and Jenson Button began testing on January 8 and 20 days later, they were working on the new car which had been launched in Paris. Fernando Alonso has also been testing, usually working on the older B201 rather than the R202. However, the newer car did occasionally show a good turn of speed, although the drivers have had their share of dramas, both self-inflicted and thanks to reliability.

It is not going to be an easy year for Renault as they begin their latest Formula One campaign. The team has remained stable in terms of personnel. Mike Gascoyne has to come up with a car capable of challenging the top three. The people are pretty much the same as before. The big change, however, is in expectation. Renault have to deliver results this year.

Bob Constanduros