McLaren, Ferrari are not the only ambitious F1 teams

Mar 12, 2008, 11:08 GMT

Melbourne - McLaren-Mercedes and Ferrari may be getting most of the headlines, but the Formula One season starting on Sunday features nine other ambitious teams as well.

Renault can expect attention as ex-world champion Fernando Alonso has returned after one year at McLaren and will want to prove his abilities in a slightly inferior car.

BMW aim for nothing less than a first Grand Prix victory from either German Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica of Poland.

Williams and Red Bull have podium finishes in their sights, Japanese manufacturers Toyota and Honda want decent seasons, while Toro Rosso, Super Aguri and Force India will aim not come last.

'We should look to racing properly with the midfield as soon as possible,' said Force India technical director Mark Gascoyne.

This modest outlook is obviously not shared by BMW or Renault.

Alonso won back-to-back world titles 2005 and 2006 for the French manufacturer and missed the 2007 crown by one point together with his then Mclaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

But the Spaniard never felt at home in the team and is now back at Renault, who had a mediocre season without him and now want to pick up the pieces.

'The team was far behind in 2007 and it would have been impossible to overcome that gap this winter. The other teams have also progressed and so it will certainly take a little time to reach a higher level, but I am convinced that we have the potential to get there,' said Alonso.

'The team has shown in the past that they know how to produce a winning car. We just need to continue our efforts and to make sure we don't lose ground.'

Team boss Flavio Briatore was as cautious as Alonso in an interview with British daily The Guardian, rating the team's championship chances at a mere 20 per cent.

'We can't recover everything in three months but we hope to be fighting and winning races by the middle of the season,' Briatore said.

Winning races is also top of the agenda for BMW, who aim to close the gap on Mercedes in a battle of German manufacturers.

'It is our clear aim to win a race,' said Heidfeld at the car's presentation on January 14. Kubica agreed: 'Hopefully we can achieve a race win for our fans.'

BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen said: 'The new car incorporates everything we have learnt over the past two and a half years. It marks a big step.'

Theissen said the car was set up close to the limits because 'you have to take risks if you want to take a bigger step.'

The Australian GP on Sunday will give a first indication whether BMW are good enough to draw closer to the top duo.