09 December: The
Week at Renault F1: December 9, 2005
The World Champion speaks! Plus a look at how to find soap, printer cartridges or wishbones at Enstone, the inside story from Brazil and an update on the RS26 V8 engine.
"You are the number one guys. You are the best… You are all world
champions!" We all saw what happened when Fernando climbed from his car in Brazil, after finishing in third place. Slowly, surely, he realised that he was world champion – and let out the roar of ‘¡Toma!' that came to define his moment of triumph in 2005. Yet what was the atmosphere
like in the garage during those final laps? How did the team approach the weekend to make sure of the all-important result? Brazil was one of Renault's "key moments", and this week we delved back into a race full of emotion, tension and passion. What's more, as a special bonus, we have
made available the full radio transcript of that Brazilian race, for everybody to re-live the race as it unfolded, in the cockpits of the number 5 & 6 Renaults, and on the pit-wall. Click
here for the story of the weekend and here for the full radio transcript.
The Department Store(s)
In the busy, busy world of Renault F1 Team – with cars coming and going, people flying to all corners of the earth, and a design office constantly demanding the production of new, improve parts – the Stores are the place where everybody can find everything. Need soap (for cleaning gearbox
and engine oil)? Printer cartridges (for press releases)? A lower front wishbone or a front push-rod shim? Everything is there, numbered, ordered and just waiting to be called on. This week, we take you behind the scenes of a department that very few people have heard of – but without
which, a Renault F1 car would never manage to turn a wheel at any Grand Prix. Stores Manager Pete Aldridge gives us the guided tour here
A chat with the champion Fernando
Alonso has been taking a well-earned break since his conquest of the world championship with Renault. In this interview, he talks about the weeks since his victory, looks back at his emotions during the final race – and, as ever, expresses his distinctive, balanced perspective on the
turbulent world of Formula 1. So what does the world champion think when people say he was not the best driver in 2005? "It's normal," he answers phlegmatically. What will happen in 2006? "We will all start again from zero." With his feet on the ground, Fernando Alonso is preparing to
attack a new season with the same hunger and motivation as ever. Read all about it here
The RS26 V8: Looking promising The RS26 2.4l V8 engine, that Renault F1 Team will use
in the 2006 Formula 1 season, is nearing its track debut. We spoke to Project Manager Léon Taillieu to get an update on the project and to understand a little more about the challenges of developing a V8 engine. Work has been underway since late 2004 and has already brought some benefits
for Renault, notably an improved centre of gravity relative to its predecessor, the world champion 2005. "We are on time, and on target," explains Taillieu. "We have almost completed our initial phase of performance development, and encouragingly we have attained our targets." Read the
full interview here
THE Awards Ceremony This evening, Friday 9 December in Monte-Carlo, the Renault F1 Team will collect the FIA Formula 1 World Constructors' Championship,
while Fernando Alonso will be presented with the World Drivers' Championship. The gala event will be attended by motorsport's major personalities. Log on during the weekend, and on Monday, for more news from the event – and Fernando's impressions as he is officially crowned World Champion.
