Formula 1
Fuel leak ended Trulli's race
Renault suffered it's first double retirement at the French Grand Prix, both Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso victims of engine problems. Running in the top eight, the pair retired within a couple of laps of each other, Alonso on lap 42 and Trulli ...
Published: Jul 14, 2003, 10:36 AM
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Renault suffered it's first double retirement at the French Grand Prix, both Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso victims of engine problems. Running in the top eight, the pair retired within a couple of laps of each other, Alonso on lap 42 and Trulli on lap 44. Initially it was thought the Italian had an engine command problem but after later investigation it proved otherwise.
Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso.
Photo by LAT Photographic.
"The source of the problem was a fuel leak in the airbox," head of engine development Denis Chevrier told the team website. "However, owing to the subsequent small fire which damaged some parts in the engine, we are unable to say exactly what caused this initial fault."
While Trulli was struggling, Alonso's engine let go with no warning: "Fernando's problem occurred very suddenly on lap 44, and we discovered it in the garage at the same time as those who were watching on television," said Chevrier. "We had no warning at all on the telemetry. What we can confirm is that the origin of the failure is in the lower part of the engine."
Disappointing but now attention turns to preparation for the British Grand Prix in two weeks time. "We will be pursuing our normal race preparation work here at Viry," concluded Chevrier. "While part of the team is travelling to Barcelona for three days of testing, beginning on Wednesday."
Allan McNish will be on testing duties before travelling to the UK to appear at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend.
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