Formula 1
Renault interview with Montagny
Franck Montagny, the Renault F1 Team's third driver, talks about testing in recent weeks, and driving a 2005-configuration car. Q: Franck, what have you done since the end of the season? Franck Montagny. Photo by LAT ...
Edited: Dec 16, 2004, 1:05 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Franck Montagny, the Renault F1 Team's third driver, talks about testing in recent weeks, and driving a 2005-configuration car.
Q: Franck, what have you done since the end of the season?
Franck Montagny.
Photo by LAT Photographic.
Franck Montagny: I had some time off after Brazil - I attended every race at the end of the year, but came back to Europe in between in order to test, so I took two weeks off, went to see my parents, went to Spain and Morocco, and just took the opportunity to relax. After that, the next two weeks were spent preparing for winter testing: getting back into training, visiting the factory.
Q: You did plenty of mileage in the sessions.
FM: We spent four days in Barcelona, then eight at Jerez, which meant we could get plenty of work done, even though the first session at Jerez was disrupted by rain. I still managed to beat the record for the longest day's running last Thursday though: 151 laps!
Q: Were you driving a 2005-spec car?
FM: Yes, we did a lot of running in the new configuration.
Q: What is it like to drive?
FM: Slippery! It slides a lot!
Q: Did you have to change your driving style to get the best out of the car?
FM: It's a different challenge. There is much less grip, which you really notice in the medium-speed corners. The rear of the car will also slide more readily, which is fun for the driver. but it costs you in terms of lap-time. Of course, the drivers have also lost the fun of running with new tyres all the time. But overall, it is a different kind of challenge, that's all.
Q: Do you need to be more disciplined on the long runs?
FM: You need to be able to manage the tyres from the start to the end of a race, and not simply drive flat out throughout the stint.
Q: Is it a fundamental change?
FM: No. I think that car set-up will be even more important than it was in the past. Until now, a new set of tyres could mask a small problem with the chassis but that will no longer be the case for 2005. What's more, even the smallest handling imbalance will have a big impact after 300 km.
Q: Are you optimistic for 2005?
FM: Yes. We are only beginning our adaptation to the new rules, and performance levels will increase. At the moment, every team is doing their own thing, and that's why the times at the end of each day often look jumbled up. At Renault, the dominant feeling is one of quiet confidence. I haven't seen the R25 yet, but I am going to the windtunnel at Enstone tomorrow. I can't wait!
-renault-
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Davidson hoping for 2006 race seat
Next article Renault winter test roundup
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Franck Montagny
What could have been: When Villeneuve’s shock return thwarted an F1 rookie
Formula 1
Formula 1
What could have been: When Villeneuve’s shock return thwarted an F1 rookie
Friday favourite: The “perfect” F1 test venue with a little bit of “magic”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Friday favourite: The “perfect” F1 test venue with a little bit of “magic”
An energetic start to Formula E in Miami
Formula E
Formula E
Miami ePrix
An energetic start to Formula E in Miami
More from
Renault F1 Team
“I went back to the car and cried” – Esteban Ocon opens up about his unexpected year on F1 sidelines
Formula 1
Formula 1
“I went back to the car and cried” – Esteban Ocon opens up about his unexpected year on F1 sidelines
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Formula 1
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
On this day: Michael Schumacher’s final unsportsmanlike manoeuvre
Formula 1
Formula 1
Monaco GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher’s final unsportsmanlike manoeuvre
Latest news
Franco Morbidelli on securing most coveted WSBK ride: 'Clearly Ducati has some trust in me'
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Japanese GP
1 h
Franco Morbidelli on securing most coveted WSBK ride: 'Clearly Ducati has some trust in me'
"Not allowed, not made possible": Was BMW denied its title chance?
DTM
DTM DTM
Hockenheim
1 h
"Not allowed, not made possible": Was BMW denied its title chance?
Max Verstappen: FAQ on his GTWC Europe debut
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 2 h
Max Verstappen: FAQ on his GTWC Europe debut
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe