Renault to launch 2004 car today.

The Mild Seven Renault F1 team will launch their 2004 challenger today - the Renault F1 R24 will be unveiled in Palermo, Italy at 11 am UK time.

Renault is the sixth team to launch their new car, following on from Williams, Sauber, Toyota, Jaguar and Ferrari.

Renault had a fantastic season in 2003, not only did they challenge the 'big three' - Ferrari, BMW WilliamsF1 and McLaren-Mercedes - in many ways now making it a 'big four', but they also won their first grand prix, since taking over the Benetton team in 2000, Fernando Alonso taking victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Renault will field an unchanged driver line-up this coming season, Alonso again teaming up with Jarno Trulli.

Allan McNish though is out, and in comes Franck Montagny as the official third/reserve driver.

Renault finished fourth in the Constructors' championship in 2003, scoring 88 points, 54 behind McLaren-Mercedes who were third, and 62 in front of BAR-Honda, who finished fifth. BAR incidentally will launch their 2004 car, this coming Sunday [February 1].