New Formula Renault 2.0

Successful first outings

New Formula Renault 2.0, scheduled to make its competitive debut in the2010 season, has successfully completed its first track outings atMagny-Cours and at Nogaro. Ahead of schedule, the successor to theworld's best selling single-seater has already completely satisfied theRenault Sport Technologies' teams in charge of designing and developingthis brand new race car.

Development work is now underway on New Formula Renault 2.0, whose initial design phase only began in October of last year. Boasting an appealing profile, the car's engine was fired up for the first time on May 15, 2009 in front of all the technical partners involved in the project. The car was then ready for burn-in on May 16, two days ahead of the initial schedule. The car's first track outing came on May 19 at Magny-Cours, driven by Filipe Albuquerque, winner of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 in 2006. The experience of the Portuguese driver was central to Renault Sport Technologies' decision to choose him to conduct the development programme. No specific objectives were set for this shakedown, other than to confirm that all of the car's components were in good working order. New Formula Renault 2.0 did just that, successfully completing its first 100 kilometres without the slightest problem. The development programme then moved onto Nogaro on June 2-3, a complete track combining series of medium-speed corners, winding sections and a long start-finish straight. A further 474km were completed in near ideal track conditions. The first qualifying session and race simulations -- twenty-five minutes plus one lap, which is the race format typically used in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 -- went perfectly. New Formula Renault 2.0 proved to be efficient, stable and enjoyable to drive, with a highly effective braking capability according to Filipe Albuquerque. Its initial lap times are very encouraging. 574 kilometres of testing have now been completed with perfect reliability, out of a planned total of 6,500. Seventeen days of testing are scheduled at nine different tracks throughout Europe.

-credit: frenault