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28th November 2003
valencia
testing four
Franck Montagny, R23-05, 95 laps,
380 km
Only Franck Montagny was present in Valencia today for Renault. Jarno has
finished his pre-Christmas testing and will be concentrating on training
until after the Christmas break. Of the other teams, it was also test drivers
only with Briscoe (Toyota), Gene (Williams) and Wurz (McLaren).
Chassis programme:
Chassis work was limited to wet set-up work and acclimatization for
Montagny's first F1 run in wet conditions.
Tyre programme:
Montagny tested a variety of compounds and constructions. Both areas of
development showed promising results.
Other Notes:
Weather conditions turned colder today, bringing particularly low grip conditions
when combined with the artificially wet track surface.
Montagny's 95 laps brought his personal mileage for the week to 1484 km, and
the team's to 2552km.
Comment:
Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering:
"This was Franck's first time in the car in the wet and, combined with
very low grip conditions, this made the day quite a challenge for him.
However, he performed very well, running quickly and giving good feedback. We
have had a useful week, and learned a lot about the tyres and our development
work for next year's car."
27th November 2003
valencia
testing day three
Jarno Trulli, R23-06, 112 laps, 448
km
Franck Montagny, R23-05, 126 laps, 504 km
Jarno’s final day in Valencia saw him finish second quickest,
according to Renault, or third according to F1 Live! Coulthard was quickest
in both reports, achieving a new track record in the MP4-19. Montagny was 7th
(Renault’s report) or 6th . Wilson took over from Klien for Jaguar
today, and was 4th quickest, or 9th. Quite a
difference! But Mark Webber was last on both!
Chassis programme:
Chassis testing was primarily conducted by Montagny. He continued work on
rear suspension modifications for 2004 as well as his work on damper
characteristics, with very positive results. Both cars continued testing
components of the 2004 running gear, and have now amassed considerable
mileage on these parts without any problems.
Tyre programme:
Trulli focused on tyre testing, looking at a number of new constructions as
well as re-checking changes that were made during the year. This work was in
line with expectations, and among the new constructions, one appears better
both in one-lap performance and consistency on longer runs.
Other notes:
Tomorrow, Montagny will conduct wet testing with a single car.
Comment:
Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering:
"We did a significant amount of mileage, completing more laps than any
of our competitors today. The circuit appeared to get slightly slower in the
afternoon, but we had a productive day even so. The developments Franck has
tested have increased the car's stability, while Jarno has been very happy
with the car throughout the test."
26th November 2003
valencia
testing day two
Jarno Trulli, R23-06, 66 laps, 264
km
Franck Montagny, R23-05, 68 laps, 272 km
The Renault drivers were 3rd (JT) and 6th on the time
sheets in Valencia today. Fastest again were the 2 Williams race drivers.
Weather conditions were extremely windy in the afternoon, slowing lap times
by as much as two seconds.
Chassis programme:
Trulli tested mechanical suspension components to be used on
the R24.
Montagny spent the day evaluating new differential software
(specifically, the differential 'control strategy'). He also worked through
different damper configurations aimed at the R24.
Tyre programme:
Compound testing for Trulli. Valencia is a circuit suitable for testing the
medium area of the compound range, used at such tracks as Melbourne. Trulli
tested a range of new compounds, two of which already look promising.
Comment:
Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering:
"Another successful programme, although we did not achieve the same
mileage as yesterday. Jarno concentrated on testing tyre compounds, conducting
both short runs for ultimate performance and longer runs focusing on
consistency, with promising results. Franck's work on the differential
control strategy is already showing equal performance to the existing
strategy, and holds potential for further development."
25th November 2003
valencia
testing day one
The Renault F1 Team began winter testing today in
Valencia. Also present were Williams, McLaren, Jaguar and Toyota. Fastest was
Montoya for Williams as the Williams drivers took up the first 3 places on
the time sheets. Jarno and Franck Montagny were on duty for Renault,
finishing 5th (FM) and 7th. The first part of the day
was also devoted to driver acclimatisation after six weeks without testing.
Chassis programme:
Trulli conducted a full brake development programme and
some aerodynamic development during the morning session, completing 78 laps.
This was followed by a routine engine change and installation runs at the end
of the day.
Montagny was driving the R23B for the first time at this circuit.
His programme focused upon set-up work for the circuit, and chassis systems
development.
Engine and transmission programme:
RS24 systems development, including driver familiarisation with manual
upshifts and downshifts in preparation for 2004 regulations.
Comment:
Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering:
"A successful first day of winter testing for the team. Both drivers
needed a few runs this morning to get re-acclimatised with the car, but after
that, we had a productive session. Jarno completed a brake development
programme during the morning, while Franck concentrated on testing chassis
systems. All in all, it is good to be running again, and we look forward to a
useful week's work."
20th
November 2003
jarno at
enstone
A familiar face wandered the shop floor of the Enstone factory
last week, when Jarno Trulli spent the day in Oxfordshire for his post-
season technical debrief. “The main aim of today’s meetings is to
sit down and review the season: we go over the year race by race, and discuss
strong points or weaknesses with the engineers and designers,” explained the Italian. “The information we
collect helps us to understand better how we work with the car, and where we
can improve for next year.”
Any visit to the team is also a chance to say thank you to the people who are
a vital part of a season as good as 2003: “We had a fantastic
year, and that is down to the hard work of the people at the factory, both in
Viry-Châtillon and here at Enstone. The car was improving right up until the
last race, and we made good steps with the engine. Formula 1 is not just
about the people at the track: our team is eight hundred people, and
everybody makes an important contribution. As a driver, you never forget
that.”
Of course, thoughts are already turning to 2004, and Jarno will be in action
next week at Valencia when winter testing gets back underway after the
post-season ban. A visit to the wind tunnel allowed him to catch up on
progress with the R24: “Like with every new car, you cannot
say anything for sure until you actually drive it out on the track. Still,
the model in the wind tunnel looks competitive, and the engineers have got
some very positive numbers. After such a strong season this year, I am sure
we will make another step forward with the next car: I’m looking forward to
driving it!”
Courtesy of http://www.renaultf1.com/
1st and 2nd
November 2003
jarno in sardinia
The
second Gran Premio di Cagliari, held last weekend in the Sardinian capital,
included a special treat for the fans: a live demonstration of the R23B with
Jarno Trulli at the wheel.
The local press styled the event the “Italian Monaco”. Budding Formula 3000 and
F3 drivers negotiated the unforgiving, concrete-lined streets, chasing tenths
of a second in preparation for Sunday’s main event. Suddenly, amid the brief
calm of lunchtime, a different noise shattered the silence. Higher pitched,
more aggressive, just plain louder. Attention focused on the pitlane, and
then, slowly, the yellow and blue car edged out of the garage and onto the
circuit, feeling its way around the narrow course. Noise echoing from wall to
wall, building to building. Then the show could begin: practice starts,
tyre-smoking doughnuts, and the thrill of seeing a Formula 1 car up close, at
speed.
“It is definitely narrow out there!” joked
Jarno after the demonstration runs, “but I still
managed to get into fifth gear…” The Italian completed two
demonstration runs on Saturday, including practice starts, pitstops and some
tyre smoking artistry at the first corner, before repeating the show again on
Sunday. “I am very pleased to be here in
Cagliari, and to be able to show our fans in Sardinia what a Formula 1 car
can really do. This is a really fantastic event. Usually, the fans come to
see Formula 1 but this year, with Renault, we have tried to take Formula 1 to
the fans. They seem to enjoy it!”
Inevitably, the tortuous streets brought back memories from earlier in his
career. “When I was karting, we had a new street
circuit to learn every weekend, and it teaches you lots about not making
mistakes and how the car changes during a weekend. In F1, of course, we have
Monaco, and the drivers love it: compared to some of the other circuits, you
can really make a difference on this type of track.”
After a long season, thoughts are also turning to 2004: ahead is a winter of
hard work and training to be in peak shape for next March. “We had a great season in 2003, and exceeded our
expectations, but there is lots of hard work ahead,” concluded Jarno. “We are keeping our feet firmly on the ground, but I am
optimistic about our chances for next year.”
Story
courtesy of http://www.renaultf1.com/
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