Renault achieved in 2002 what most expected of them, namely being best of the rest behind the big three teams.

To do so, they built on the progress they made towards the end of a largely disastrous 2001 season to emerge as the team most likely to disturb the domination of Ferrari, McLaren and Williams.

The new technical team, headed by former Jordan designer Mike Gascoyne, produced an excellent car, which was driveable and easy to use.

And early in the season it even looked as if Renault might be able to challenge McLaren for third place in the constructors’ championship.

That did not happen, as McLaren stretched their legs once the season gathered momentum and Renault were left in a kind of no-man’s land – not quick enough to challenge the top teams, but too good for the rest.

To make the next step, Renault need more power from their radical wide-angle engine.

That is promised for 2003.

But it remains to be seen whether Renault’s engine technicians will make enough progress to bridge the enormous gap between them and BMW and Ferrari – and allow the team to make the next step.