25^th February 2002

australian gp. preview.

Jarno Trulli boasts a competitive edge in the Australian Grand Prix, even though his results at the Albert Park circuit may not show it. Potential points-scoring finishes have been denied by mechanical failure but he is confident of a competitive result placing this year.

Jarno Trulli on the Australian GP.

“I am pretty optimistic. We have a good engine, good reliability and a well- balanced car, and once I have completed three or four races I should feel fully comfortable with the R202 and have developed even better communication within the team. I enjoy the race because it is the first of the season and everybody is motivated to do well. Albert Park is something special compared to other tracks and my best race there was actually in my debut season when I finished eighth. Ever since I have had strong performances, running second, third or fourth, before being hit by mechanical problems. I had a very good race last year and this year I hope to perform strongly and score some points.”

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director:

“Testing has gone very well, especially during the last few outings at Barcelona and at Silverstone. We have completed a large programme of work and have had successful reliability running. We are in good shape for Melbourne. We have several planned aerodynamic updates for Australia including new front and rear wing endplates and new brake ducts. We should be qualifying in the top ten and we want a reliable race to get two cars to the finish.The car should be well suited to the track and the conditions,

and even though it will be the first time in such heat, cooling will not be a problem. Overall, I expect the team to perform well.”

21^st February 2002

renault drivers put through their paces with balloonists

Jarno and Jenson joined balloonists Andy Elson and Colin Prescot at Renault’s Human Performance Centre today. The balloon pilots are going to attempt to break the world manned balloon altitude record in the summer, so are training accordingly. Team Performance Manager, Bernie Shrosbree put the drivers and pilots through a hi-tech assessment

session, involving progressive exercise tests to exhaustion, cycling in a decompression chamber, and rigorous strength and stress exercises. When tired, they tested themselves on a reaction board, to increase their speed and dexterity under fatigue conditions. So Jarno and Jenson are ready for Melbourne!!!

20^th February 2002

silverstone testing.

The Renault F1 Team concluded their final pre-season test today at the Silverstone circuit in Great Britain. Jarno Trulli (4 laps)and

Jenson Button (9 laps) conducted shakedown runs in their race cars for the Australian Grand Prix during the morning, with Jenson driving chassis R202-03 for the first time. In spite of wet and windy conditions during the afternoon, both drivers practiced pit stops in chassis R202-01, which will be the spare car in Australia.

Jarno Trulli commented:

“We shook down the car for Australia this morning, checking systems on the car, before practicing pit-stops this afternoon.

Everything went very well, and I’m looking forward to getting out to Australia!”

Team-mate Jenson Button said:

“It was my first run in the new car, and everything was working fine. I was also pleased to practice pit-stops in the T-car this afternoon, which was something we didn’t have time for last year. I’m happy with what we achieved today, and can’t wait to get to Melbourne.”

Summing up the week’s work, Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of Renault F1 Team UK, commented:

“We had another successful day to conclude our work at Silverstone. Overall, our pre-season testing has proved extremely

productive, and we depart for Melbourne in very good shape.”

19^th February 2002

silverstone testing.

On a cloudy day at Silverstone that became wet in the afternoon, RenaultF1 completed another productive day testing. Jenson Button drove chassis R201-01 in the morning, completing almost 50 laps, while Jarno Trulli continued at the wheel of the R202-02 in the afternoon, conducting final systems checks. Once again Jarno Trulli was quickest on the day, with 1:24.109. Jenson was 4^th with 1:24.952, with the two Jordans in between. Also present were Jaguar and BAR. Arrows were there, but did not manage to complete a lap.

At the end of the day’s running, Button commented:

“We concentrated on long runs today, without any set-up work at all, and managed almost 50 laps during a number of long runs. I’m optimistic for tomorrow, and looking forward to running in the new car which I will use in Australia.”

Assessing the team’ work, Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of Renault F1 UK, said:

“Another good day for the team, during which we continued our preparations for Melbourne. Jenson shook down chassis 01, and

Jarno continued working in 02, finishing in wet conditions owing to rain during the afternoon.” (Having got rather wet, I can vouch for the wet conditions, although it got much worse after testing had finished for the day.)

Tomorrow, the Renault F1 Team will complete its final day of pre-season testing at Silverstone. Chassis R202-03 will run for the first time with Jenson Button, Jarno Trulli will continue work in 02, and chassis 01 will be used for pitstop practice.

18^th February 2002

silverstone testing.

RenaultF1 began a three day test today with Jarno Trulli taking the wheel of the second R202 chassis for the first time. Jarno completed over sixty laps without any problems and was pleased with the day’s work, finishing quickest with a time of 1:24.400. RenaultF1 were joined by HHF in the Arrows and the two Jordan drivers, Fisichella and Sato.

Jarno Trulli:

“In spite of a damp circuit this morning, we managed to start running in the dry by lunchtime, and then began long runs this afternoon. We covered more than a full race distance, and the car felt really good. Overall, I’m happy with what we achieved and feeling confident.”

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of Renault F1 UK, commented:

“Today we concentrated on long runs and some final electronic systems checks before Melbourne. We didn’t encounter any

problems, and it proved another very productive day.”

13^th February 2002

barcelona testing.

Final day of testing in Barcelona for Renault F1 this week, with Jenson Button driving the R202. Like Jarno the previous two days, Jenson was quickest on the day with 1:17.677, almost a second quicker than the Arrows of Frentzen.

Mike Gascoyne:

“We completed our testing in Barcelona with another enjoyable day’s work. Jenson ran a programme similar to Jarno’s yesterday and found the car consistent and fast. Overall, we have had three very productive days and are extremely pleased with our progress.”

The team will be at Silverstone from 18^th – 20^th next week for their final pre-season test before heading for Melbourne.

12^th February 2002

barcelona testing.

Jarno was testing in the new car, the R202, again and was once again quickest on the day, although the competition was the same as yesterday apart from Mark Webber in the Minardi. Jarno posted a 1:17.758, almost two seconds quicker than yesterday, after running 77 laps. Fernando Alonso was conducting software development but didn’t set a time.

Commenting on today’s testing, Mike Gascoyne,Technical Director of Renault F1 UK, said:

“We had an extremely productive day, probably the best since beginning testing at the start of January. Jarno completed a number of long runs in the morning, and managed to conduct both setup work and tyre development for Michelin. Overall, he was very pleased with the car’s behaviour. Fernando continued working in the B201, and led a series of important software tests.”

11^th February 2002

barcelona testing.

Back to Barcelona this week and Jarno is Renault’s lone driver today. Jarno completed 47 laps and finished quickest with 1:19.487, ahead of Bernoldi in the Arrows, two Jordans (Sato and Lasee) and a Minardi (Yoong) who was over 6 seconds slower than Jarno’s fastest time.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of Renault F1 UK, commented:

“After a frustrating morning, which was cut short by several minor technical problems, Jarno managed to complete a productive afternoon’s work, and was once again pleased with the consistency and responsiveness of the new car.”

7^th February 2002

valencia testing.

Renault F1 concluded this week’s test with Jarno Trulli driving the new R202 and Fernando Alonso the B201. There were several crashes and other red flags today but the team completed 100 laps. Jarno finished near the bottom of the time sheets with 1:15.687, just behind Alonso whose fastest time was 1:15.386. Fastest again was Heidfeld’s Sauber, more than a second ahead of the second place Williams of Montoya. Massa in the second Sauber was third with 1:14.224. What are the Saubers up to?

Commenting on his day’s running, Jarno said:

“Today, I mainly concentrated on long runs to better understand the car. In spite of a difficult start to the week, I can feel the car has great potential, and now need to get to know it better and find a setup I am comfortable with.”

Summing up the week, Renault F1 UK Technical Director Mike Gascoyne said:

“Jarno finished the week at the wheel of the R202, concentrating on setup and reliability work and achieving some useful running in spite of the interruptions. Fernando again continued working in the old car, carrying out development on tyre compounds and constructions on behalf of Michelin as well as some electronics development for this season. Overall, we have had a successful week, and are looking forward to beginning again in Barcelona on Monday.”

6^th February 2002

valencia testing.

Jarno returned to testing for Renault F1 today, taking the wheel of the B201, while Jenson Button continued in the new R202. In spite of windy conditions making setup difficult, the team managed over 100 laps. Jenson was 7^th fastest in the new car, with 1:14.668, Jarno 13^th with 1:16.788. Fastest of all on the day was Fisichella in the EJ12 with 1:13.321.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of Renault F1 UK, commented:

“In spite of the bad weather, Jenson had an extremely productive morning, except for a minor gearbox problem which curtailed his running in the afternoon. Overall, he was very pleased with the balance and handling of the car. Jarno ran in the B201, making progress in learning about the Michelin tyres as he conducted further development work.”

5^th February 2002

valencia testing.

Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso continued testing for Renault F1 today, joined by the Sauber, Williams, Jordan and Minardi teams. Nick Heidfeld’s Sauber was fastest today with 1:13.717. Fernando in the B201 and Jenson in the R202 were 7^th and 8^th respectively with 1:15.350 and 1:15.772. Jarno Trulli resumes testing tomorrow after Monday’s illness. He will take the B201 to ensure he is fully fit, while Jenson will continue in the R202 with a full race simulation.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of Renault F1 UK, commented:

“It was an encouraging day for the team. Jenson completed over 50 laps in the new car, concentrating on reliability runs, while Fernando once again conducted tyre development for Michelin.”

4^th February 2002

valencia testing.

Williams and Renault were the only teams in Valencia today. Renault were conducting wet weather tyre testing for Michelin with Jarno Trulli driving the R202 and Fernando Alonso the B201. Jarno felt unwell during the day, so finished early. He is due to resume testing on Wednesday 6^th. Jenson Button will take over tomorrow. Jarno finished 5^th of 5, time-wise with 1:34.236. Alonso was third with 1:32.846. Montoya was fastest with 1:29.639. Don’t forget that Michelin tyres behave differently from Bridgestones, and Jarno is still getting used to them.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of Renault F1 UK, said:

“Once again, it was a useful day’s testing for the team. Conducting tyre work for Michelin, we ran the R202 in the wet for the first time, and neither driver experienced any mechanical problems, although Jarno’s illness ended his day early.”

1^st February 2002

barcelona testing.

On a sunny but windy day out on the circuit, Renault F1 concluded this week’s test in Spain. Jarno, still in the new car, finished 3^rd fastest after 30 laps with 1:20.046, while Fernando was 2^nd, behind Pizzonia’s Williams, with 1:20.046. Top time was 1:19.470.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of Renault F1 UK, summed up the week:

“Once again, a satisfying day’s work. Jarno completed 30 laps, and made good progress with setup of the car in spite of difficult, windy conditions out on the track. Fernando carried on working for Michelin, completing his programme without any problems.

Overall, these five days have been extremely productive. We’ve suffered no major mechanical problems, and are very happy with the progress of the new car.”

Testing continues in Valencia from Monday 4^th February.