Despite having slipped, albeit slightly, back in 2004, Renault is determined that its 'plan' is on target.

On returning to Formula One, after an absence of seventeen years, the French outfit clearly set out its goals, targeting places in the top four and top three of the Constructors' Championship in 2003 and 2004.

Despite speculation from some sections of the media that the French outfit's success in 2003 was something of a 'flash in the plan' and that the team would seriously under-perform in 2004, Renault held its own, though it appeared to weaken in the latter stages of the season, allowing BAR to take the runner-up spot.

Team boss Flavio Briatore is adamant that his team is on target and that the ultimate goal, the championship, is a serious possibility.

"We'll be competitive in every race, and we will contend for the title," the Italian told Gazzetta dello Sport. "We're taking it one step at a time; two years ago, our target was becoming one of the big four teams; this season we wanted a top three. Next year..."

However, he admitted that the team has lost ground to BAR, and gave due praise to his Brackley rivals: "Honestly, BAR did a better job than us and deserved their runner-up position," he said, "even though we held second place for much of the season.

"However, with our new engine structure, our priority was finishing races rather than winning," he added.