Below we want to share some information about Renault R29.
The Renault F1 team ran its R29 for the first time on Monday in Portugal with test driver Romain Grosjean at the wheel. The Swiss driver has moved up to become the team’s reserve driver as Lucas di Grassi has moved on.
Renault R29
Flavio Briatore joined Fernando Alonso, Nelson Piquet and Romain Grosjean to unveil the R29, which was sporting an exciting new livery and radical aero package inline with the 2009 regulations. The flash bulbs went crazy as the photographers tried to capture the car from every angle as well as the beaming smiles on the drivers faces as they inspected their new car and posed for photos.
The development of the car was disrupted as the result of a failed crash test, an indication that the team has been pushing very hard to keep down weight, presumably because of the need to add the KERS system to the car. Renault will be using an electrical KERS system which the team has designed with help from electronics firm Magneti-Marelli. It is believed that the team is also probably working on a flywheel system that may be introduced at a later point if it is found to be better than the electrical version.
Wide front wing with adjustable incidence flap
The front end of the car is dominated by the 2009 aero specification wide front wing which has a driver controlled adjustable incidence flap.
This looks very different to previous years being much closer to the ground and has much greater influence on the air flow over the tyres due to its increased span. Great attention has therefore been paid to the end plates which have become much more critical devices than they have been in previous years. The front end also has a more radical front suspension layout with new geometry including inclined wishbones and higher monocoque in order to maximise the new slick tyres and improve aerodynamic efficiency.
The rear of the monocoque under the bodywork has changed considerably with the integration of the KERS system, which has taken a lot of effort to package neatly for the minimum weight. The introduction of this new technology has also influenced the car’s aero package with careful consideration paid to ensure sufficient cooling.
The bodywork appendages, such as winglets, flicks and chimneys have now largely disappeared with the 2009 aero regulations. The surfaces are therefore much simpler and more streamlined, although the R29 still incorporates the R28-type dorsal fin and flush exhaust exits seen on previous Renault F1 cars. The 2009 rear wing is narrower and higher and reverts back to the centrally-supported single pylon design first introduced on the R26.
Renault R29
Nelson Piquet . Interview from ING Renault F1 Team blog
Nelson you were the first to sample the R29, give us your initial thoughts on your new car?
It’s great to be in the new car in time for the first test and that in itself is already a victory for the team and is thanks to all the hard work back at the factories. The weather was poor today with the track damp and slippery and so we were limited with what we could do. We therefore concentrated on checking the systems on the car, adding mileage and gathering as much information as we could.
How different did the new car feel in comparison with the R28?
Difficult to say because the track conditions were so poor. It won’t be until we run in the dry that I will be able to tell for sure. My seating position is the same so it didn’t feel massively different to the R28, although if anything I probably had a bit more room in the cockpit. We obviously have less downforce on the car to try and encourage more overtaking, but I did not run closely behind anyone today so I will have to wait and see what that is like.
This will be your second year with the ING Renault F1 Team – what difference will that make?
Going into my second year makes a huge difference because I have a year of experience to draw upon: I know the tracks, the team and the areas that I need to concentrate on. I learnt so much last year and I will be able to put all that to good use this year. My aim is to get the most from the car at every race and to try and match my teammate.
What will the programme be for the rest of this week here at the Algarve Motor Park?
The weather forecast for tomorrow looks like being wet again so it may be similar to today. That’s a shame because I’m really impressed with this new circuit and really want to drive here in the dry. As the week unfolds we will continue learning about the car and hopefully move towards some set-up work by the end of the week as we begin to understand the car better.
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