Renault goes the distance

During the most recent Grand Prix weekend, the Renault F1 team completed 1297.1 km with its two R24s. This was the highest two-car total of all.

In spite of the single engine per weekend regulations, which require carefully regulated engine usage during the first sessions of the Grand Prix, the Renault F1 Team completed a significant distance at Sepang last weekend. With a two-car total of 1297.1 km (discounting the extra mileage accrued by third drivers), the team headed the table, followed by Ferrari (who completed 78km less) and Toyota and Minardi equal third, both with 100 km less.

These characteristics could prove vital in Bahrain: the circuit is unknown to everybody, and running will need to be as efficient as possible during free practice in order to adapt the cars to the circuit as well as possible. Denis Chevrier, Engine Operations Manager, has confirmed the challenge: "One of the big challenges will be learning the circuit at every level," he said.

"Our talented drivers will not need to run an excessive number of laps to learn the circuit. An intelligent practice programme, with lots of work in parallel, will be a benefit to the entire team. We will be able to rely on our level of reliability, but we do not expect to see a significant increase in mileage at Bahrain, as the circuit is relatively demanding. Furthermore, certain set-up changes may take a little longer than usual."

Objectives for the weekend have already been clearly defined. "I think that on a brand new circuit, it will be preferable not to rush out on Friday morning," concludes Denis. "The conditions for tyre evaluation will not be optimum at that point in time. The sand is also a potential source of worry: it can alter the level of grip very quickly, and complicate the analysis of set-up changes." It is going to be quite a challenge!

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