United States GP 2006: Monday Morning Debrief - 3 JUL 2006
Damage limitation for Renault in Indy – and
how the balance might shift back again in Magny-Cours…
C-ing double
Ferrari may have performed dominantly in Indianapolis, but
there was plenty for Renault to be pleased about after the
race. The most significant factor was the successful, reliable
debut of a first iteration of the ‘C' specification
RS26 engine in Fisico's R26 car – making it 19 finishes
out of 20 starts for the R26-RS26 package in 2006.
Major engine developments during the season are planned according
to a ‘normal' two-race usage cycle, that's to say the
one being observed by Fernando, and the C-specification unit
was planned for race 11. So, just as with the introduction
of the ‘B' spec earlier in the season planned for race
5, Fisico's out-of-sync usage posed the team at Viry a dilemma:
to rush the introduction of the unit for race 10 (Indianapolis),
with potential reliability risks; or to wait for race 11,
thus giving Fisico use of the unit only at race 12 (Hockenheim).
The solution, as ever, proved to be an astute compromise,
whereby Fisico used a C-specification V8 this weekend but
with only partial usage of the performance gain it brings.
That will mean both drivers have the full evolution available
for use in Magny-Cours in two weeks' time, as Engine Technical
Director Rob White explains:
"The planned development path of the RS26 called for
an evolution to be introduced at race 11 in Magny-Cours. Giancarlo
had a fresh unit built to ‘C' specification for race
10, but its use was not as aggressive as it will be at race
11 because final approval for the unit is still pending our
testing this week in Jerez. Both drivers will therefore have
a full C-spec evolution and the associated performance gain
available at our home race in France. We have had a very successful
North American campaign in contrast to recent years, and we
were delighted to see the new engine take a reliable podium
finish on its debut. The C spec should be another good boost
as we look to get back to winning ways on home turf."
The theory of relativity
Giancarlo enjoyed a fantastic weekend to finish ‘best
of the rest' on Sunday afternoon, some distance behind the
dominant Ferraris but having seen off a strong challenge from
Toyota. It was an outstanding drive, but one that had to be
couched in relative terms after such an impressive display
from Ferrari – as Fisico himself admitted.
Yet this paddock ‘theory of relativity' is not all
bad news for the Renault boys. Looking back to 2005, they
scored ‘nul points' on their trip to North America –
while in 2006, they have collected 25 compared to Ferrari's
30. The aim was to come out of these two races with a healthy,
stable championship lead – exactly what the team has
done. Twelve months ago, the team enjoyed an 18 point constructors'
championship lead over McLaren, while in 2006 that gap has
stretched to 26 points. The team's reliability record has
reached 95% (19 finishes from 20 starts) compared to 65% in
2005 (13 finishes from 20 starts) and a Renault has been on
the podium for 16 races in a row – every race since
Turkey last year.
So, we put the question to Pat Symonds: is the performance
in Indy a sign that the tables have turned in 2006? "I
don't think so," he explained. "There is absolutely
no complacency at Renault, and we will be studying what happened
this weekend in significant detail. But from being slower
than us last week in Canada, Ferrari were suddenly exceptionally
quick here this weekend – with essentially the same
car and engine. We have said all year long that the balance
of competition will shift race to race according to who finds
the best solutions, particularly in adapting the tyres to
the circuit and conditions. This weekend, our competitors
did the better job – just as we have done with Michelin
at most other circuits this year."
Is this, therefore, a turning point for the championship?
"I think it is important to keep things in perspective,"
concluded Symonds. "Indianapolis is an unusual circuit
with some unique characteristics. In 2005, we had our worst
part of the championship in North America. This year, we are
coming away with 25 points. We got beaten this weekend, and
nobody in the team likes losing. But we are ready to fight.
We have a very aggressive development programme in place for
the coming races, and we hope to be much more competitive
in France – a home race for both ourselves and Michelin.
I expect normal service to be resumed in Magny-Cours…
which means a tight, intriguing battle between ourselves,
Ferrari and McLaren!"
|
