> Flav: Don't underestimate Renault

Renault boss Flavio Briatore has dismissed suggestions that his team will struggle to match its title-winning exploits of the past two seasons in 2007 without Fernando Alonso.

The double world champion is moving to McLaren after five seasons with the Anglo-French squad, with his place being taken by Finnish rookie Heikki Kovalainen alongside Italian veteran Giancarlo Fisichella.

The loss of its star driver, combined with a switch to unfamiliar Bridgestone tyres, has led many to suggest that the team may fall back into the pack next season – but Briatore is not subscribing to this view.

“I don’t accept that assumption,” he said in an interview with Formula 1’s official website.

“The people saying we will not continue our success in 2007 are the same ones who said we had won the title in Canada, or that Ferrari had won by Monza.

“They are people making quick judgments, not looking at the facts.

“They see unknowns, where we see people we know and logical decisions."

Renault was keen to stress when it confirmed its driver line-up for next season that 2007 marks the start of a new era for the team, as in addition to the promotion of Kovalainen to a race seat, it starts next year with two new test drivers (Ricardo Zonta and Nelson Piquet Jr) as well as a new title sponsor (ING).

However the core technical and management structure that oversaw its two double championship-winning campaigns remains in place and Briatore believes that this stability, combined with the determination to prove the doubters wrong, will see Renault cars continue to run at the front of the field.

“For me, there is a great motivation in beginning a new era without Fernando, and proving that the strength of Renault is about more than one person," he said.

“The secret to our success was written on the cars in 2006: team spirit.

“We want to stay at the top, and fight at the front. We are the only top-three team with technical stability, and we know our drivers.

“The team is prepared for the challenge, and looking forward to it.”