Italian driver Jarno Trulli is confident the Enstone-based Renault team can challenge Formula One's 'big three' this season and bring him the maiden victory he craves.

Jarno TrulliThe 29-year-old scored 33 points last season, but was overshadowed by Spanish team-mate Fernando Alonso whose maiden victory in Hungary helped the team finish fourth in the manufacturers' championship.

Now Trulli, who has finished on the podium just twice in his 111-race career, is looking for Renault to give Ferrari, McLaren and Grove-based Williams even more of a fright in 2004 and end his search for that elusive win.

With the launch of the team's 2004 car a fortnight away on January 29, Trulli said: "We have to step up to another level again. We had a great year in 2003 with some really good results including Fernando's victory which was unbelievable. I was not very optimistic at the start of the season, but we exceeded our expectations.

"It is not going to be easy next year because the top three are all very good and experienced teams.

"We know we have a very good car, although at times our reliability was not good and we did not have enough power. That is something we will hopefully have sorted out.

"I am very optimistic about my chances in 2004 and I want to get that first victory. It would mean so much to me, but I must not be too confident. I have to keep my feet on the ground and work hard.