RENAULT LAUNCHES NEW R25.

The most noticeable change on Renault's new Formula One car, the R25, is the radical-looking front end. New 2005 rules have forced teams to raise their cars' front wings, and many teams have abandoned the two-keel front suspension layout. Renault went the opposite way and designed a V-shaped, twin-keel front suspension installation to improve airflow under the car and increase downforce.

Renault technical director Bob Bell said the new design is "a good structural advantage and a good aerodynamic advantage.''

The R25 features an engine that the team says is 98 percent new, and it was surprisingly fast in preseason testing at the Valencia circuit in Spain. Fernando Alonso ran less than a second off the track record, despite new regulations intended to reduce downforce and lap times.

Bell said the team will continue to develop the car aggressively, with chassis changes race to race.

What's the plan?

Contrary to expectations, Alex Shnaider's Russian-backed Midland Group (which recently bought Jordan Grand Prix) did not sign Mexican Champ Car driver Mario Dominguez. Instead, Midland will embark on its maiden F1 season with two Grand Prix rookies: Narain Karthikeyan of India and Tiago Monteiro of Portugal.

Both are well known to Midland sporting director Trevor Carlin, who tended them through successful Formula 3 careers. Karthikeyan will be India's first F1 driver. He has tested for Jaguar, Jordan and Minardi (the latter of which short-listed him in 2003).