Renault CEO writes off 2007

(GMM) The president of the French car maker Renault says he has now written off the prospect of a third consecutive formula one title in 2007.

Led by Flavio Briatore, the Enstone based outfit lifted the crowns in both 2005 and last year following battles with, respectively, McLaren and Ferrari.

But this year, Renault lies a distant fourth in the constructors' chase, having also fallen significantly off the pace of BMW-Sauber.

Highest placed Renault racer Giancarlo Fisichella, meanwhile, is a vast 63 points behind for the drivers' crown.

"For this season I have given up the title fight," Renault president and CEO Carlos Ghosn told the business magazine Capital.

He added: "We compete only against BMW for the third place."

Ghosn insisted, however, that F1's ultimate prize will be back on the team's radar for 2008.

"I have told them that next year we must be right back at the top."