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 February 2003 News

 

 

27th February 2003

silverstone test

Weather: overcast, 14°

R202-02 Allan McNish

The Renault F1 Team today concluded testing at the Silverstone circuit. With Allan McNish in last year’s R202, the Team was able to complete the planned development programmes begun earlier this week. In the previous days, Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso had conducted shake-down runs of the R23s in preparation for the Australian Grand Prix whereas Allan McNish, in the R202, focused on suspension development.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of the Renault F1 Team: “We finished today our pre-Melbourne test with Allan running the R202. He conducted some electronic evaluation for new systems to be used in the first half of the season. Overall it was a good week for us as the three drivers were able to complete their programme. We now look forward to being in Australia for the first Grand Prix of the season.”

Today at Enstone and Viry, the Team was busy packing all the material that will be sent to Melbourne before departing this weekend. Jarno flew out today, flying via Rome, on to Australia on Friday.

 

26th February 2003

silverstone test

Weather: overcast with sunny spells, 10°

R23-02 & R23-03 Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso

R23-01 Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso (pit-stop)

R202-02 Allan McNish

The Renault F1 Team continued testing today at the Silverstone circuit. The Team ran three cars: two R23s tested by Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso, with Allan McNish in last year’s R202. Today the team did the shake-down of both the R23 race cars in preparation for the first Grand Prix of the 2003 season in Melbourne. In the afternoon Jarno and Fernando concentrated on pit-stop practice. Allan McNish continued further suspension development on chassis R202 and completed 129 laps of the National Circuit.

The Team was satisfied with today’s programme and will conclude the session tomorrow. McNish was 4th fastest, Trulli 5th and Alonso 7th and last.

Also present today were Jordan, Jaguar and BAR. Fastest was Ralph Firman for Jordan, which was a mystery to those present as he seemed slow and struggling with the car at times. Maybe they took all the fuel out for a couple of laps to give him a morale boost.

 

25th February 2003

silverstone test

Weather: sunny, cloudy in the afternoon, 10°

R23-00 Jarno Trulli

R23-01 Jarno Trulli

R202-02 Allan McNish

The Renault F1 Team began today at the Silverstone circuit the last testing session before the first Grand Prix of the season (Australia, 9 March). The Team ran three cars: two R23s tested by Jarno Trulli and last year’s R202 with Allan McNish at the wheel.

In the morning, Jarno focused on race distance test on the R23-00 in preparation for the Australian Grand Prix. In the afternoon, he switched to the R23-01 conducting some pit-stop simulations. Allan McNish completed the programme planned by the team. He was able to run a significant amount of laps (154 laps-406 Km) working on suspension development. Also present on the track were the McLaren team with both Coulthard and Raikkonen driving. Raikkonen was fastest, then Trulli.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of the Renault F1Team:

“We started our shake-down for the Australian Grand Prix. Jarno completed some long runs for final reliability checks as well as the shake-down of one of the Melbourne chassis. Allan worked also on further suspension evaluation in the R202. Overall we had an useful day of testing. Tomorrow we will continue to shake-down the rest of the Melbourne chassis, conducting some suspension work”.

 

20th February 2003

barcelona test

Weather: cold and damp, 10°

R23-02 Fernando Alonso

The Renault F1 Team concluded today its four-days test session at the Barcelona circuit. In the morning, the track remained closed, due to heavy rain. As conditions slightly improved in the afternoon, the Team was able to run a limited amount of laps with Fernando Alonso at the wheel of the hybrid R23.

Concerned about the extremely poor conditions of the track, the team chose again today not to run Jarno Trulli’s R23, to avoid possible damage to the new car. Mark Webber was fastest for Jaguar, while Tuesday’s fastest car, Panis’ Toyota, was slowest today. Alonso was 5th  quickest. Toyota’s Da Matta was not able to post a time as he aquaplaned into the barriers on his first lap, so maybe Renault were sensible after all!

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of the Renault F1 Team:

“Unfortunately, we had another cold and wet day which severely limited our programme. We ran with Fernando in the hybrid R23 conducting some wet tyre evaluation and general reliability running. It’s a shame because we lost the last two days of testing as Jarno was unable to run the R23 with the new aerodynamic package. I hope we will be able to do some chassis evaluation next week at Silverstone, during our final test session before the beginning of the season”.

 

19th February 2003

barcelona test

Weather: cold and damp, 7°

R23-02 Fernando Alonso

R23-03 Jarno Trulli

R202-02 Allan McNish

The Renault F1 Team completed the third day’s testing at the Barcelona circuit today, in spite of difficult weather conditions. So far this week there has been sun, snow, sleet and rain. In the morning not one of the teams present was able to run due to heavy rain. In the afternoon the Team was able to start today’s programme with Fernando Alonso driving the hybrid R23.

The Team decided not to run Jarno Trulli’s R23 in order to avoid possible damage of the car in extremely slippery conditions of the circuit. Fernando Alonso at the wheel of the hybrid R23 did some wet tyre work for Michelin. Ralf Schumacher was fastest, Villeneuve slowest. Trulli and McNish did not run at all.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of the Renault F1 Team:

“The cold and wet conditions at Barcelona today meant that we could run a limited number of laps with Fernando Alonso in the hybrid R23 carrying out some wet tyre evaluations for Michelin. As most of our programme requires dry running, we hope for better weather tomorrow. “

Ironically, it has been dry in the Silverstone area of the UK this week!

 

18th February 2003

barcelona test

Weather: cold and damp

R23-02 Jarno Trulli

R23-03 Fernando Alonso

R202-02 Allan McNish

The Renault F1 Team today continued testing at the Barcelona circuit, Spain. Owing to wet weather and poor track conditions, the Team was unable to run this morning. In the afternoon, as the weather conditions improved, the Team could accomplish the programme as planned with Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso driving the R23s while test driver Allan McNish ran in the R202.

Jarno Trulli, at the wheel of the hybrid R23, completed 12 laps: his running was cut short by an engine misfire. Fernando Alonso, running the R23 with the new aero- package, focused on chassis set-ups in preparation for the first Grand Prix of the season. Allan McNish continued the suspension programme he began yesterday.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of the Renault F1 Team:

“We had another productive day’s testing at Barcelona circuit. Fernando continued the evaluation of the new aerodynamic package. Jarno’s running was cut short due to an engine misfire. Allan focused on suspension development on last year’s car. “

Tomorrow Jarno Trulli will run with the new aerodynamic package for the first time, continuing work on chassis set-up. Other teams present today were Toyota, Jordan, Williams, and BAR. Fastest was Toyota’s Panis, with Alonso second fastest. Trulli, with his engine problems was 10th and McNish was 12th  and last. 

 

17th February 2003

barcelona test

Weather: cold and damp

R23-02 Jarno Trulli

R23-03 Fernando Alonso

R202-02 Allan McNish

The Renault F1 Team today began a new test session at the Barcelona circuit, Spain.The team started the day with three cars. Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso drove the R23s while test driver Allan McNish ran in the R202. The only other team present was Jordan, who had their “launch” before the session began. Alonso was fastest with the new aero-package, and Trulli second fastest, with McNish behind the two Jordans.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of the Renault F1 Team:

“A reasonably productive first day testing at Barcelona, although the cold and damp weather conditions made it a little difficult for drivers and cars to run. Jarno Trulli carried out race simulation in the old-spec R23, which he successfully completed. Fernando ran for the first time the new aero-package in the R23 and managed fairly competitive times given the conditions. Allan worked on suspension development on last year’s car. Hopefully we will have some warmer temperatures for the rest of the test.”

Tomorrow Fernando Alonso will progress to tyre development work with Michelin in the new-spec car and Jarno Trulli will continue further work on car reliability .

 

12th February 2003

valencia test

R23-02 Fernando Alonso

The Renault F1 Team today concluded a three-day test session at the Valencia circuit in Spain. As planned, Fernando Alonso was at the wheel of a single hybrid R23, concentrating on the evaluation of new engine parts and was fastest today, ahead of Barrichello’s Ferrari and Ralf Schumacher’s Williams.

Technical Director Mike Gascoyne:

“We had a useful final day with Fernando. He completed a successful evaluation of new engine parts, and concluded a productive three days’ work. We will continue our programme next week in Barcelona.”

The Renault F1 Team will next test at Barcelona, beginning on Monday, 17 February. This session will mark the introduction of the new aerodynamic package for the start of the 2003 season, which will be fitted to one of the R23 cars, to be shared between the two race drivers.

 

11th February 2003

valencia test

R23-00 Allan McNish

R23-02 Fernando Alonso

The Renault F1 Team today completed an encouraging second day of testing at the Valencia circuit, Spain. The team managed to accomplish the programme as planned with drivers Fernando Alonso and Allan McNish.

Fernando Alonso was able to run over 80 laps doing some performance work with the Michelin tyres.

Allan McNish, who concluded his testing today, said: “On both days, I concentrated on endurance runs. I continued to accumulate mileage in the R23 and I’m very confident in the car potential”.

Montoya was fastest for Williams, but Fernando’s Renault was second quickest, faster than Barrichello’s Ferrari.

Carlos Nunes, Test Manager of the Renault F1 Team:

“We are quite satisfied with today’s running. In spite of engine problems, which hampered his testing, Allan was able to continue his work on reliability for chassis and engine. Fernando completed his programme focusing on tyre work for Michelin in preparation for the first Grand Prix of the season. He also did some short and endurance runs, trying at the same time different engine set-ups. Tomorrow, we will continue our testing on one chassis with Fernando running in the morning.”

 

10 February, 2003

valencia test

Weather: sunny, 13° up to 18°

R23-00 Allan McNish

R23-02 Fernando Alonso

The Renault F1 Team today started a new test session at the Valencia circuit, Spain. The team ran two R23s with drivers Fernando Alonso and Allan McNish. (Jarno has a week free from testing, but will be back in Barcelona next week.)

Fernando worked on engine mapping and software programme in preparation for the first Grand Prix in Australia on 9th  March).

Allan McNish had a mixed session: he encountered some problems but was still able to work on car- reliability in view of the Melbourne Grand Prix.

Also present were Williams and Jordan, with Ralph Firman making his first appearance in the EJ13. Fastest was Ralf Schumacher. Alonso was 3rd quickest, with McNish 5th and last.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of the Renault F1 Team:

“We had a productive first day of testing with Allan focusing on long runs aimed at race-reliability for the first Grand Prix of the season. In the morning however, his run was cut short due to engine problems. In the afternoon he ran useful mileage even though his testing was hampered by minor gearbox problem. Tomorrow Allan will continue race-reliability evaluation. Fernando had a limited programme to work on today with some engine mapping. In the next days he will concentrate on Michelin tyre evaluation for Melbourne.”

 

4th February 2003

barcelona test

R23-00 Allan McNish

R23-01 Jarno Trulli

The Renault F1 Team concluded its testing at the Barcelona circuit, Spain. Jarno Trulli and Allan McNish at the wheel of the R23 were able to complete the programme as planned by the Team. Fastest on the day was M.Schumacher for Ferrari. Jarno was 5th quickest and McNish was 8th and last.

Jarno Trulli:

“I had two useful day’s testing. I focused on tyre testing and engine mapping. I’m satisfied with the handling of this new car.”

Renault F1 Team test driver, Allan McNish:

“It was my first real test with the R23. I feel at ease and very happy with the chassis balance. We did some long runs on both days which gave me a good mileage and good understanding of the car. I’m looking forward to continue testing in Valencia next week.”

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of the Renault F1 Team:

“We had another useful day of testing. Both cars’ testing was cut short due to minor engine problems. Jarno and Allan conducted some tyre development for Michelin and did a set-up work for the R23. Overall we had two productive days of testing and we managed to complete our programme. Next week we will be in Valencia where we hope to do good progress.“

 

3rd February 2003

barcelona test

R23-00 Allan McNish

R23-01 Jarno Trulli

The Renault F1 Team today started a three-day test session at the Barcelona circuit, Spain. The team ran two R23s with drivers Jarno Trulli and Allan McNish.

Jarno Trulli ran over 56 laps, working on a tyre programme for Michelin concentrating also on engine mapping.

Allan McNish had a trouble-free session, running over 64 laps, doing some chassis and engine set-ups and focusing on car-reliability. Fastest was Barrichello for Ferrari. Jarno was 4th fastest behind Da Matta for Toyota and the two Ferraris. McNish was 11th and bottom of the time sheets. Teams present: Renault, Ferrari, Toyota, BAR, Sauber, Jaguar and Williams.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director of the Renault F1 Team:

“We had a very useful first day of testing in Barcelona. In the morning, both drivers worked on engine mapping. In the afternoon Jarno completed a tyre programme for Michelin whereas Allan did some long runs in order to check engine and chassis reliability. “