Formula One news

Renault has 'long way to go'

Technical director Bob Bell has revealed that Renault struggling is to improve its performance mainly due to the switch to Bridgestone tyres. The team had a difficult season-opener at Melbourne, where Giancarlo Fisichella finished fifth and Heikki Kovalainen tenth. Both drivers attended last week's test in Sepang but Bell says that progress has been minimal and it will take a lot more to close on pack-leaders Ferrari.

"We continue to make reasonable progress in getting the best out of the car and the Bridgestone tyres," Bell told the Times.

"I wouldn't say we've done anything in the last test in Malaysia that represented a significant step forward. We've made progress, but I don't think any of us are under any illusions — we've still got a long way to go to match the pace of Ferrari in particular."

The design of the title winning Renault of the past two seasons was intended to get the most out of the Michelin rubber, which has now given the Enstone-based squad a significant disadvantage in getting the R27 up to speed with the Bridgestone technology.

"We biased the design of our car to get the best out of Michelin," Bell said. "We spent two championship years with Michelin doing that, so it's not unreasonable to expect that other teams haven't suffered as badly as we have."

more news

• 09 Jan.
  • Kubica named Polish sports personality of the year
  • Richards out of Honda running
  • Donington gains planning permission
• 08 Jan.
  • FOTA agrees cost-cutting plans
  • De la Rosa still aiming for race seat in F1
  • A dozen parties interested in Honda
  • Mosley not done yet with cost cuttings
• 07 Jan.
  • Ecclestone reveals September deadline for Donington
  • Ferrari willing to supply 'Honda' with engines
  • Brawn says Honda won't test before season
• 06 Jan.
  • Ferrari to use electronic pitstop system in 2009
  • Kubica to start karting team
  • Webber's recovery going well
  • Ferrari to reveal new car next week
  • Stewart hits out at Ecclestone and Mosley
• 05 Jan.
  • Red Bull's RB5 to debut in February
  • Suspended sentence and fine for Verstappen
  • Berger confirms Buemi for STR
• 04 Jan.
  • Kubica expecting more accidents
• 03 Jan.
  • Encouraging news for Donington
• 02 Jan.
  • Di Resta still hopeful of F1 drive
  • "Title loss would have damaged Hamilton's reputation"
• 01 Jan.
  • Hakkinen supports medals system
• 31 Dec. '08
  • Kubica: Next year is a big challenge
  • Hakkinen: Vettel will soon be a Formula 1 champion
  • Hamilton receives MBE award
  • Heidfeld expects more accidents in 2009
• 30 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to join Madame Tussauds
  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
  • Manager: Alonso would love to join Ferrari one day
  • Changes at Toro Rosso
• 29 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to miss victory parade in Woking
  • Alonso to join Ferrari in 2011?
  • Mexican billionaire denies Honda bid
• 28 Dec. '08
  • Mexican buyer for Honda?
• 27 Dec. '08
  • F1 drivers positive on Algarve circuit
• 26 Dec. '08
  • Montezemolo says KERS introduction is a mistake
• 25 Dec. '08
  • Season's greetings from GPUpdate.net
• 24 Dec. '08
  • Massa against proposed pay cut
  • Ferrari undecided over Schumacher future

Homepage