Fauré wants more success for Renault
Patrick Fauré has called on Fernando Alonso and Renault to become multiple world champions and prove their success this year was no fluke.
Alonso tied up the title at the weekend with third place in the Brazilian Grand Prix, becoming the youngest champion in Formula One history and the first Spaniard to take the crown.
The 24-year-old’s success gave Renault their first world title as a stand-alone team, having supplied engines to the likes of Benetton and Williams during their championship-winning days.
Renault motorsport president Fauré celebrated after finally seeing the French company add Formula One to a long list of championships conquered, but likes the taste of success so much he wants more.
With Renault trailing McLaren by just two points in the manufacturers’ standings, Fauré said: “If we can add the constructors’ (title) to the drivers’ it really means that you have dominated the season, that you are really the best. That is why we want to win that one too.
“The history of Renault is a history of sport, very much so, and we have won nearly everything – Le Mans, World Rally Championship, Formula One as an engine supplier – but we had not won as a 100% Renault car any Formula One world championship.
“We came very close, with Alain Prost, but we had not won and if we win both constructors’ and drivers’ championship at this time it will mean we have won everything in motor racing.
“After that, we will probably have to try to win many other ones to prove that it was not by chance that we won this year.”
Fauré hailed Alonso as an “exceptional talent” but pointed to Flavio Briatore as a key part of this year’s success.
Fauré picked Briatore as the man to lead Renault’s return to Formula One when they bought Benetton and he feels that decision has more than paid dividends.
“Flavio is completely uncommon as the head of a Formula One team,” said Fauré.
“When I said to Renault I wanted to take him on board otherwise I wouldn’t launch the new operation of coming back to Formula One in 2000. I think I did right.
“He is the kind of man who is fantastically able to put things together.
“He has a very special management system and he has a way of selecting people, organising the job and looking after the results all the time.
“He is very good at controlling things. Sometimes in special businesses like this one you need special people.
“It didn’t take me too much time to convince them but the results are there and everyone says you are right.”
