Renault boss Patrick Faure insists a proposed new rule which forces teams to run engines for at least six races before discarding them is far too restrictive.

"The plan is the end of Formula One," said Faure.

"We will not stay in the championship with these kind of rules, clearly, none of us."

The new six-race plan, one of a series designed to make the championship more competitive, is an attempt to make it cheaper for smaller teams to compete in F1.

Faure said most of the other changes, such as banning radio communication between team and driver and automatic launch control, were acceptable.

The only thing totally unacceptable for us is the engine for six races - the rest we can discuss Renault chief Patrick Faure

"But the way things have been announced is slightly aggressive and I do not think it is a way to behave," he said.

The changes have already been criticised by GPWC Holdings, the company that has proposed a rival championship involving Renault, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Fiat and BMW.

The new regulations were due for approval by F1's Technical Working Group last Friday but it failed to come to a conclusion and will meet again on Tuesday.

Faure warned that GPWC is determined to ensure engines are only required to run for one race.

We will allow one engine per weekend in 2004, one per two weekends in 2005 and by 2006 it will go up to six weekends which will reduce the costs of the engine dramatically FIA chief Max Mosely

"We are hoping to find some clarifications on when the measures are going to be implemented," he said.

"There is still some need for discussion and refinement. The only thing totally unacceptable for us is the engine for six races. The rest we can discuss."

Faure's comments came on the day Renault unwrapped their new blue and yellow R23 Formula One car.

Renault have high hopes it will help them top last season's fourth place in the constructors' championship.

And with Jarno Trulli joined by Fernando Alonso in the driving line-up, expectations are high.

"Seeing a new F1 car take shape is always an exciting experience," Trulli said of the Mike Gascoyne-designed R23.

"It is an honour to be competing in grands prix as a Renault driver."

The R23's main distinguishing feature over its predecessor is a drooping nose similar to that seen on last year's Jordan.

The car will make its track debut on Thursday, at the southern French Le Castellet circuit.

But the team expect to develop it significantly before the first Grand Prix of the season in Australia on 9 March.