Renault's week 2005-11-11

Renault's weekly off-season news round up

A team award

Specialist technical magazine 'Race Tech' held its annual World Motosport Symposium this week in London, at the Royal Air Force Museum on November 10-11. Alongside technical contributions on the topics of aerodynamics and engine design from leading Formula 1 figures (including Mike Gascoyne and Luca Marmorini of Toyota, Alex Hitzinger of Cosworth and Renault's own Axel Plasse, project leader for the RS25 V10), it was also the opportunity to recognise the work of the sport's leading aerodynamic and engine specialists.

Yesterday's awards dinner saw Dino Toso, Renault F1 Team Head of Aerodynamics, named Aerodynamicist of the Year. "It is a privilege to receive this award, but it is first and foremost it recognises the work done by an extremely talented group of aerodynamicists, model-makers and technicians," commented Dino; a group that produced a world championship winning R25, that was competitive on every circuit and praised by its drivers from its first laps.

But Formula 1 never stops, and the evening was just a brief interlude in the manic rhythm of F1 aerodynamics. The R26 has been evolving under their guidance for several months already, and the wind-tunnel is working flat out to fine-tune the last details of the car that will defend Renault's double world championship...

Back to the track

The end of the race season may have given some hard-worked members of the race team an opportunity to take a well-earned break, but the test team will soon be back to work. The Renault F1 Team will return to the track in Barcelona from 30 November to 2 December; notably, the session will feature a first taste of F1 for Robert Kubica, 2005 World Series by Renault champion, and the 2004 Renault V6 winner Giorgio Mondini.

With the track debut of the RS26 V8 planned for January 2006, the team will run with a 'restricted' V10 to simulate predicted power levels for next year. Why? To ensure the best possible start in the tyre development programme for next year that Franck Montagny will be working on with technical partner Michelin.

As for the race drivers, they will run for just one day each before Christmas to acclimatise to the reduce power levels, before starting intensive testing with the R26 in the New Year. ""Everybody is very keen to get back on track," explained Chassis Technical Director Bob Bell. "We want to pick up and carry on exactly where we left off on Sunday evening in Shanghai."

Jean-Pierre Jabouille: "A unique achievement"

As the man who took the first 100% Renault victory in Formula 1, Jean-Pierre Jabouille was an interested spectator during the Renault F1 Team's exceptional 2005 season. The championship wins had special meaning for him, as he explains. "Hearing the Marseillaise mark a Renault win is always emotional. But that's not all. I believe Renault's successes this year demonstrate the competitiveness of French technology to the whole world. Just like in the Turbo era, the team is still closely associated with Michelin and Elf, and that also made this a unique achievement."

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