A new chief at Viry

Formula One outfit Renault appointed Briton Rob White as their Formula One technical director in charge of engine matters on Tuesday the team announced in a statement.

The former Cosworth chief engineer started work at the fast rising team's factory in Viry-Chatillon last week as they seek to build on their sterling fourth place in the constructors championship last season which also saw the emergence of Spanish 22-year-old Fernando Alonso.

Alonso, who is contracted to Renault till 2006, won his first Grand Prix last season in Hungary and finished in sixth place in the championship with 55 points.

"His (White's) appointment is another key step as we build towards challenging for the world championship," said Renault team chief Flavio Briatore.

They have been revamping their operations after losing team technical director Mike Gascoyne to Toyota at the end of the last campaign.

Renault are abandoning their radical wide-angled engine in favour of a more conventional version for 2004 under new engine rules that limit teams to one per car per weekend.