Formula One news

Renault looks for improvement before first race

Renault completed its final day of pre-season testing on Wednesday at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona. The team was running two R28s with Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet remaining in the cars to complete their final laps before the opening race of the season in Melbourne.

Both drivers completed set-up programmes in the morning and then long runs in the afternoon, which provided another chance for the mechanics to run through pit stop drills. With good reliability and the collection of valuable data, the team has enjoyed another productive day. Both drivers completed over a 100 laps, with Nelson covering the most of any driver with 128.

"We had a large programme to complete over the three days, and we were quite ambitious with what we were working on," said chief test engineer Christian Silk. "For the most part we managed to complete everything we wanted and we have completed all our homework in time for Melbourne."

"Between now and the first race we need to tidy up the cars as much as possible; get all the new parts on the cars that we have looked at during testing to get them into race specification," he added. "Obviously we still have a lot of work to do from these three tests because we've had three tests back-to-back and not had much chance to analyse the data and understand what has happened. So that is what will happen back at the factories; there will be an element of thinking about what has happened over these tests and taking using that information for the first race."

more news

• 24 Jul.
  • Jerez too hot for Toyota
• 23 Jul.
  • Force India joins the action
  • Piquet back behind the wheel
  • Vettel gets to grips with slicks
  • Vettel still on top in Jerez
  • Buemi eyes Toro Rosso for 2009
  • BMW mechanic kept in hospital overnight
  • Photos: Wednesday in Jerez
  • Q&A with Timo Glock
• 22 Jul.
  • Toyota spends day running slicks
  • Grosjean back in action for Renault
  • Vettel sets pace at Jerez
  • 'Shocked' mechanic ends BMW's day at Jerez
  • Renault still targets fourth
  • Photos: Tuesday in Jerez
  • Hamilton on his German Grand Prix win
  • Testing gets under way at Jerez
  • Ferrari boss confused by Kimi's lack of pace
• 21 Jul.
  • Ferrari boss reflects on tough race
  • Glock leaves hospital
  • Mercedes enjoys Hamilton's victory
  • McLaren boss explains strategy call
  • Symonds grateful to lady luck
• 20 Jul.
  • McLaren celebrates Hockenheim victory
  • Not a good day at Ferrari
  • Glock to stay in hospital overnight
  • Piquet comes good for Renault
  • Both BMWs bring home points
  • No joy for Force India
  • Pointless afternoon for Williams
  • Honda hoped for more in Germany
  • Vettel takes another point for Toro Rosso
  • Disappointing day for Red Bull
  • Glock unhurt in Toyota's pointless race
  • Victorious Hamilton would have preferred easy ride
  • Hamilton storms to victory at Hockenheim
  • Photos: Sunday in Hockenheim
  • McLaren deny moving for Rosberg
  • No decision on Honda drivers yet - Brawn
  • Alonso happy but concerned about race pace

Homepage