Mild Seven Renault launches 2002 campaign.

Renault is back! During an impressive ceremony in Paris today [Sunday], the famous French marque officially launched its return to Formula One.

Opened by Louis Schweitzer, chairman and CEO of Renault, the Mild Seven Renault F1 operation presented the car and driver line-up which will spearhead the company's full works return to Formula One competition in 2002.

For Renault worldwide, it was an emotional moment signalling the realisation of the company's ambition to return to Formula One. The team launched in front of over 1000 media, partners and employees at the Renault Technocentre, the heart of the company's innovative philosophy and birthplace of all Renault road cars.

"Formula One represents the heart of Renault - passion, daring and Innovation," commented Schweitzer, "Our return to competition is underpinned by the twin strategic goals of increased brand awareness and the globalisation of Renault. Being in
Formula One implies excellence, and mastery of cutting-edge automotive technology. Renault F1 will place the company centre stage in competition against the largest global automotive manufacturers."

Winner of the first aver grand prix in 1906, Renault possesses a heritage of milestone innovations which include the introduction of turbocharging to F1 in 1977, and the V10 engine design in 1989, which won six consecutive constructors' world championships
between 1992 and 1997. A single challenge remains, however - victory in the world championship with a 100 per cent Renault package.

Outlining the team's objectives for the season, Patrick Faure, chairman and CEO of Renault's F1 project, confirmed that this was the company's biggest goal.

"We have returned to Formula One to win with a 100 per cent Renault team," he said, "We chose to build Renault F1 around two centres, Viry and Enstone, which are now fully integrated, and to pursue creative, innovative technological solutions.

"I will be very disappointed if the team doesn't finish among the top four in 2002 but, in any case, our aim is to be as close as possible to the top teams, with the objective of winning races regularly in 2003, and challenging for the title the following year."

The Mild Seven Renault F1 R202, powered by the RS22 engine, will lead the challenge.

Conceived by the integrated technical teams of Renault F1 UK at Enstone - under Mike Gascoyne - and Renault F1 France at Viry-Chatillon - led by Jean-Jacques His - the brand new car has been developed around an evolution of the daring, wide-angle V10 engine pioneered in 2001.

Three of Formula One's brightest prospects have the responsibility of turning the team's technical expertise into hard results under the guidance of managing director Flavio Briatore. Race drivers Jarno Trulli Briton Jenson Button will be assisted in developing the car by Spanish test driver Fernando Alonso.

"2001 was a year for building a solid, unified team between Viry and Enstone, and ended with genuine progress both in terms of chassis and engine," stated Briatore, "For 2002, we have an extremely strong technical team working in complete harmony, and a driver line-up with great potential; Trulli is quick and very strong technically. Button will benefit from the experience gained last year, and our test driver Alonso will help develop the car throughout the year. With the support of Mild Seven, Elf. Michelin, Hanjin Shipping and all the team partners, our efforts In 2002 will be aimed at continuously improving performance and the achievement of our goals.

Renault returns to Formula One under its own colours with the long-term objective of world championship victory as a 100 per cent works team. Today's launch marks the first confident step for Mild Seven Renault F7 on the road to success.

The team will begin testing tomorrow (Monday 28 January) at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, with both Trulli and Button.