By Andrew Fraser
BBC Sport in Monaco |
The French team made a noisy return to the scene of their only victory last season to show off their new R25 machine and driver line-up.
And Renault F1 president Patrick Faure talked of a "moment of truth" as he told journalists and sponsors that he expected several wins and a strong title challenge this year.
But once the music had died down, the dry ice had cleared and the media circus kicked into gear, there was one word which just would not go away - Ferrari.
Faure fielded a barrage of questions about the schism that has developed between Ferrari and the other nine teams over the future of the sport.
And new team-mates Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella responded to the inevitable enquiries about Michael Schumacher's domination by admitting the world champion and his team would again be the ones to beat.
Renault boss Flavio Briatore even suggested the best way to make F1 exciting again would be for Ferrari to let Rubens Barrichello loose on team-mate Schumacher, free from the constraints of team orders.
Behind the caution, however, remained the conviction that this season could be big for Renault.
In Alonso and Fisichella, they have a 23-year-old who has been tipped as a future world champion, and a highly-rated, seasoned campaigner who has finally been given the chance to prove himself in a competitive car.
"Whenever you start a season you want to improve your results from the last one," said Alonso, who was fourth last year.
 |  There's no number one in the team |
"That means finishing in the top three in the drivers' championship and the top two in the constructors' standings. But I think we can do it.
"I am 23 years old and hopefully this won't be my last season in Formula One, but it's an important one for me.
"It will be my third season in a big team like Renault. We have to decide whether we want to do the last step - whether we want to be fourth or fifth, or whether we want to be first or second."
Fisichella earned a second spell at Renault after some impressive drives for Sauber, and at 31 he knows this is almost certainly his last chance to make it at the top level.
"Fernando has a bit more experience than me with the team but I drove with them a few years ago and straight away I felt a good atmosphere," said the Italian.
"We will have the same chance and the same car. There's no number one in the team.
"It's going to be very important for me to be quick straight away. I feel very strong mentally because I know I have a good chance and a good car."
Fresh from a training camp at Briatore's base in Kenya, both drivers declared themselves more than happy with the R25, its engine power and how it has been adapted to meet new downforce and tyre rules.
And, with Ferrari once again standing apart from their rivals by delaying the introduction of their new car until May, Fisichella senses a ray of hope.
"I think Ferrari will still be the number one team. They have a fantastic package," he said.
"But because we have a big change in rules this year, anything could happen.
"If the tyres don't work or if their chassis is no good you could see some other teams winning."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
