Renault now focusing on 2008
Monday, 20, August, 2007, 12:51
Renault has decided to concentrate its resources on preparing for next season as it attempts to return to its winning ways after a barren 2007 campaign to date.
The reigning world champion squad hasn’t come close to winning a race this year and lies a distant fourth in the constructors’ standings, 38 points behind BMW Sauber.
While it says it will be working hard to optimise recent upgrades over the rest of the season, technical director Bob Bell admits the team has switched its focus at its Enstone base from developing the R27 to building a better car for 2008.
“We will have some minor aerodynamic upgrades in Turkey, and a new aero package in Monza adapted to the very low drag set-up we require there,” he said.
“We will also be working hard to extract more performance at the track from our most recent developments.
“Back at the factory, though, the moment has come to focus our energies on 2008.
“We have always said that our problems this year would not compromise next year’s programme, and that remains the case.”
By its own admission, Renault’s preparations for 2007 were put on the back burner as it devoted its full energies last autumn to the intense title battle with Ferrari.
With no such constraints this year, the team has been able to get an early start on the R28 project.
“Our design and development resources are already focusing intently on 2008,” Bell continued.
“We began work on the car early, and our approach has been quite different to recent years.
“First and foremost, we had to be certain that our development tools were working correctly.
“Once this was confirmed, we began putting a lot of energy into the design of the new car.
“The project is on time, and we have been exploring some very interesting new development paths.”
Renault’s mid-season target was to overhaul BMW in terms of first performance and ultimately constructors’ championship points.
But Bell admits the Hinwil-based squad has reasserted its superiority in the last few races and currently has the faster car – though he hopes Renault will have the edge at some of the remaining tracks.
“The top two teams are clearly still a step ahead, and it will be difficult for anybody to race with them,” he said.
“Looking at BMW, they have taken a definite step forward in the last few races and they remain, at this stage of the year, quicker than us.
“Williams and Toyota have moved forward too.
“I think that it we continue to work well and to get the most from the car, then we are capable of beating BMW on a number of occasions before the end of the year.
“That remains our target.”
itv.com/f1 - Renault now focusing on 2008
