31^st January 2002

barcelona testing.

Jarno got his hands on the R202 for the first time today at the Circuit de Catalunya. He finished 9^th quickest with 1:20.834. Fernando Alonso took over running in the B201 and was 11^th with 1:21.440. Fastest were the Saubers, Nick Heidfeld with 1:17.891 and Felipe Massa with 1:18.605. Third was the first Williams driver, Marc Gene with 1:19.233.

Mike Gascoyne:

“Today was Jarno’s first run in the new car, and his first impressions were very good. He managed to run over 40 laps, and acclimatised to the car extremely well. Fernando took over running in the B201, and conducted tyre comparisons for Michelin, although his day was unfortunately cut short by a water leak.”

30^th January 2002

barcelona testing.

Another day in Barcelona and Jarno and Jenson are 12^th and 13^th fastest. Jarno with 1:20.668 in the B201 and Jenson 1:20.814 in the R202. The two Ferraris were fastest again, but both drivers had big crashes and the cars had to be taken away for repair.

Mike Gascoyne:

“We concentrated on long runs today with the R202. Jenson ran the engine up to its maximum mileage, and it was then changed as planned. Jarno continued his work in the B201, and carried out more important development for Michelin.”

29^th January 2002

barcelona testing.

Renault F1 continued testing in Barcelona today in warm and sunny conditions. Jarno, still in the B201, worked on set ups and tyre development for Michelin. He was 7^th quickest with 1:20.089. Jenson worked with the R202 and was 8^th quickest with 1:20.090. Michael Schumacher was fastest overall with 1:18.516.

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

“Another productive day for the team. Unfortunately, an engine leak meant Jenson lost the morning whilst the unit was changed, but he ran in the afternoon, completing over 30 laps and making good progress with the setup of the car. Jarno continued his

programme in the B201, making further improvements on his setup and carrying out important work for Michelin.”

28^th January 2002

barcelona testing.

And straight on to Barcelona for the first test of the R202, with Jenson at the wheel. Jarno took the old car, the B201 today, continuing important development work. Jenson was 9^th quickest in the end (1:21.090), with Jarno 6^th (1:20.471). Ralf Schumacher was fastest in the Williams with 1:19.327.

Mike Gascoyne, technical director:

“An excellent first day! We had intended to complete the shakedown and some systems tests, but in the end Jenson was able to run 49 laps in the new car. All the systems checks went well, and we now have four days to work on the rest of the programme. Both drivers will have two days in the new car, with Jenson running again tomorrow before handing over to Jarno on Wednesday.”

27^th January 2002

Renault F1 launched their R202 in the Renault Technocentre at Guyancourt, Paris today, with drivers Jarno Trulli, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.

I apologise that the live coverage of the Renault launch at www.renaultf1.com at on Sunday 27^th January didn’t apparently happen. However, the new site is constantly changing with new pages added, so check it out.

16^th January 2002

valencia test

Renault F1 concluded their three day test at Valencia, Spain, with Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button continuing to gain valuable pre-season mileage. Jarno was only able to complete 29 laps with a best time of 1:15.066, due to a mechanical problem. Jenson managed 50 laps with a best time of 1:14.477. McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen topped the times with 1:13.159.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director, Renault F1 UK:

“We had another useful day’s testing, although Jarno's running was cut short when a suspension problem caused him to leave the track. Unfortunately, he also damaged the car, which we were unable to repair in time. Jenson continued tyre development work for Michelin. Overall, the three days have been productive, especially in terms of tyre testing. The next test will be in Barcelona, and we will run with the new car at some point during the week, which the whole team is extremely excited about.”

15^th January 2002

valencia test

On a track that was damp in the morning and dry in the afternoon, Jarno posted the 6^th fastest time of the day with 1:14.778, while team mate Jenson Button was 4^th with 1:14.539. Fastest was DC again, with 1:13.353.

Jarno and Jenson Button were running tyre programmes for Michelin and continuing work on brake and chassis systems.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director, Renault F1 UK:

“Another useful day’s testing, although it was frustrating to have to wait for the track to dry out. Jarno’s day was stopped early by a minor engine throttle problem, but he carried out some brake evaluation work on the harder compound, and made progress with chassis setups. Jenson conducted a successful tyre programme for Michelin.”

14^th January 2002

valencia test

Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button today began a three-day test for Renault F1 at the Valencia circuit in Spain. Running on an artificially wet circuit, both drivers carried out tyre work for Michelin. Timewise, Jarno finished third fastest with 1:32.000 and Jenson was fourth with 1:32.321. Quickest was DC with 1:30.750, second was Montoya with 1:31.314. Also running was Raikkonen in the second McLaren and both Jaguars, Irvine and de la Rosa.

Mlke Gascoyne, Technical Director, Renault F I UK

"We had a very productive day's testing. Running in wet conditions, we conducted several different programmes for Michelin, and gathered lots of valuable information. The day was particularly useful for Jarno, who ran over 60 laps to further acclimatise himself to the team and the car.”

Tomorrow, the team will carry out further tyre work, this time in dry conditions. Both drivers will also undertake brake evaluation and continue electronic systems development.

10^th January 2002

barcelona test

The weather in Barcelona continued to be wet for much of the day but dried up late afternoon. Jarno and Jenson continued testing brakes, tyres and electronics. Jarno completed 34 laps with a best time of 1:21.725 and Jenson had 1:21.426 from 30 laps. Tomorrow, Fernando Alonso takes over testing from Jarno.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director Renault F1:

“We had a reasonably productive day considering the bad weather and red flags which meant that we were not able to finish the programme we wanted to do today. Jarno’s work was curtailed with a minor engine problem.”

9^th January 2002

barcelona test

During the second day of this first test, Jarno completed a total of 42 laps in wet and dry conditions and posted the 5^th fastest time of 1:22.22. Team mate Jenson Button was third fastest with 1:21.780. Top time was set by DC with 1:21.157.

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director Renault F1:

“ We are happy with the way both drivers are settling in together and with their performance. It is good to see them quickly getting back into the routine of testing. We had a very productive and competitive day with both drivers. Jarno and Jenson were able to acquaint themselves with the car in the dry. We also made progress on the electronic systems. Tomorrow, both drivers will have updated engines and will conduct both brake and tyre testing.”

8^th January 2002

barcelona test.

Renault F1 tested for the first time this year at the Barcelona circuit in Spain with the new driver line-up of Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button. Both drivers used interim 2001chassis fitted with parts for 2002.

After the first day of testing for Renault F1, Mike Gascoyne said:

“Jarno began his first test with the team this afternoon and we are all happy with his performance. We didn’t start first thing this morning when it was dry but ran during the afternoon in wet conditions. Of course, these weren’t ideal circumstances for Jarno to get to know the car, but he completed 49 competitive laps given the conditions. We worked on electronic systems on Jenson’s car, and this was reflected in his time. All in all, we achieved today’s aims, which were to let Jarno get used to the car, and allow Jenson to get back into the swing of things.”

8 teams were testing at the Circuit de Catalunya today, Renault, Williams, McLaren, Ferrari. Sauber, Toyota, BAR and Jaguar. Top time was set in the dry by David Coulthard at 1:20.816. Jarno’s best time was 1:30.010, set in the wet. Jenson set 1:32.005, obviously also in the wet.

Renault announced today that from 1^st March 2002, current Technical Director Jean-Jacques His will take over from Christian Contzen as Managing Director of Renault F1 France.

Renault Testing

Following the lifting of the FIA testing ban, Renault will begin testing on 7^th January 2002 in Barcelona. Full dates for January:

7^th – 11^th Barcelona

14^th – 18^th Valencia

25^th – 31^st Barcelona