Autoblog

Renault stays in Formula One after selling stake in team

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST

The Renault name will remain on the Formula One grid when the series resumes in 2010 thanks to a deal announced on Wednesday. There had been considerable speculation in recent months that Renault would shut down its F1 effort and follow Honda, BMW and Toyota out the door. These rumors hit a fever pitch after the "Crash-Gate" controversy and the sudden departure of primary sponsor ING.

However, in the past couple of weeks it became plausible that Renault could stay in the sport although in a scaled down fashion. Luxemborg based Genii Capital will buy a majority stake in the team which will retain the automaker's name. The exact percentage hasn't been disclosed although the earlier speculation had Renault retaining only 25 percent of the team.

Renault will retain the engine building operation and continue to supply the Red Bull Racing team in 2010. The press release is after the jump.

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault stays in Formula One after selling stake in team

Renault stays in Formula One after selling stake in team originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Two bidders step up to acquire Renault F1

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Renault

Renault looks set to be the next automaker to bail out of Formula 1, and it appears that there are two serious bidders in line to take over the operation. Renault will hold a special board meeting this week to decide on the racing team's fate, and it looks like it may go ahead and just line up a sale right away, instead of announcing a shutdown and then trying work out a sale as Honda and BMW did.

AutoCar reports that Prodrive, which has been trying to break into F1 for several years, may have the inside line on the French outfit. The other primary bidder is Genil Capital, a Luxembourg-based investment fund. The financial group would likely retain the Renault name for the team, while Prodrive would probably run under its own banner. If Prodrive wins out, Renault would remain only as an F1 engine supplier.

[Source: AutoCar]

REPORT: Two bidders step up to acquire Renault F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Renault board considering following Toyota out of F1

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Renault

Things have never been this bad for the Renault F1 team. Their performance is light-years behind where it used to be, their star driver is bolting once again, their top management has been thrown out of the sport in disgrace, and its biggest sponsors are leaving en masse. And now, following months if not years of speculation, the French automaker could be preparing to cut its losses and shut down its racing team altogether.

Reports indicate that Renault's board of directors is currently weighing its options, with possibilities including maintaining its full participation in the series, reverting to acting as an engine supplier for other teams (like Red Bull), or following Toyota and BMW out of the sport before next season. However reports that the FIA is considering taking legal action against Toyota for breach of contract which locked the company into the series through 2012 could make the decision a little more difficult.

The anticipation must be especially gut-wrenching for Robert Kubica, who just signed with Renault for next season after BMW Sauber exited the series. One way or another, the company is expected to announce its decision in the coming days.

[Source: Autocar | Image: Jasper Juinen/Getty]

REPORT: Renault board considering following Toyota out of F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Robert Kubica jumps sinking BMW ship to fill Alonso's seat at Renault

Noah Joseph — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, BMW, Renault

Everything's changing for the Renault F1 team. The team principal has been barred from the sport indefinitely and the technical director has been mercifully banned for five years. They've already booted out their car-crashing, whistle-blowing driver Nelson Piquet Jr. and replaced him with rookie Romain Grosjean. Their star driver, Fernando Alonso, who brought two titles home for the team, is leaving for Ferrari. And they've lost their title sponsor ING. The team has hit just about rock bottom, but now it's time for them to get up and begin rebuilding for next season, counting their lucky stars they've been allowed to participate altogether. And this is their first step.

Following weeks, if not months of speculation, Robert Kubica has been announced to be moving to Renault for next season. The promising Polish driver - who took the checkered flag last year at the Canadian Grand Prix - has been racing for BMW Sauber for the past four seasons since entering Formula One. But now that BMW has pulled the plug, Kubica's headed to the French team.

There's no telling who, at this point, will be driving alongside him next year at Renault, but Grosjean has so far failed to earn his keep. Speculation places his equally talented BMW team-mate Nick Heidfeld alongside him, but nothing's been announced yet. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Renault F1 | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Continue reading Robert Kubica jumps sinking BMW ship to fill Alonso's seat at Renault

Robert Kubica jumps sinking BMW ship to fill Alonso's seat at Renault originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"Victimized" F1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr. reportedly headed to NASCAR truck series

Noah Joseph — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Rumormill

Crashing in Formula One is taken pretty seriously. Especially if you did it on purpose. Which goes a long way towards explaining why the motorsport community is calling for the blood of Nelson Piquet Jr. The disgraced Renault driver was, in the end, the perpetrator of the so-called Crashgate affair. But while his boss and manager Flavio Briatore was kicked out of Formula One (and any involvement in any FIA-sanctioned racing series) as a result, and technical director Pat Symonds received a five-year ban. For his part, Piquet walked as part of the whistle-blower deal brokered with the FIA. So it may be a little hard to appreciate the young driver's standpoint that he's suffered the most out of the affair.

On this side of the Atlantic, however, stock cars crash all the time. It's just part of the spectacle. So while Piquet, Jr. may have a hard time finding a race seat in Formula One or any other Euro-centric racing series, he may - like Juan Pablo Montoya, Jacques Villeneuve and Scott Speed, to name just a few - try his hand at stock car racing. Well, stock truck racing, more specifically.

According to new reports, Piquet is scheduled to test a Toyota Tundra race truck fielded by the Red Horse team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series over the next couple of weeks. The report, originating from Brazil's Globo television, further suggests that Piquet has a strategy in place to spend one year in trucks and another year in the second-tier Nationwide Series before graduating to the top-tier Sprint Cup in 2012. The question is, how will American racing drivers - and just as importantly, American racing fans - greet the embattled grand prix driver?

[Sources: AutoWeek and Autosport | Image: Robert Cianflone/Getty]

"Victimized" F1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr. reportedly headed to NASCAR truck series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Fernando Alonso signs with Ferrari F1 for three years

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari

In a deal that seems to have been years in the making, Ferrari has finally made an official announcement: Fernando Alonso will be driving for the Prancing Horse in 2010. Rumors of Alonso going to the team from Maranello started back during the Spaniard's first stint with Renault, but circumstances with driver lineups didn't allow for it. Instead, Alonso went to McLaren for one very unhappy season before returning to France.

Since then, Alonso's fortunes have been mixed and stories of the Italian job have persisted. According to official statements from Ferrari today, an agreement had been reached earlier in the summer for Alonso to move to the Italian team in 2011. However, recent circumstances with the so-called Crashgate fiasco and the departure of team boss Flavio Briatore and sponsor ING have caused the date to be moved ahead a year. Alonso's Ferrari deal runs for three years.

As expected, current driver Kimi Raikkonen will be departing a year before the end of his contract, although his future remains uncertain. Recent rumors have had him returning to McLaren, although earlier this year it was thought he might switch to the World Rally Championship.

[Source: Ferrari | Source Image: Vanderlei AlmeidaAFP/Getty]

Continue reading Officially Official: Fernando Alonso signs with Ferrari F1 for three years

Officially Official: Fernando Alonso signs with Ferrari F1 for three years originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Raikkonen could be back at McLaren in 2010

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

According to British newspaper the Mirror, Kimi Raikkonen could be driving for McLaren next year. The Iceman drove for Ron Dennis' outfit from 2002 to 2006 and scored plenty of victories but couldn't get the World Championship. Then he left for Ferrari in 2007 where he promptly won the World Championship the first year.

This season rumors have persisted that Fernando Alonso is moving to Ferrari next year. Seemingly in support of that, the only thing Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari team head Stefano Domenicali would say about next year is that Raikkonen has contracted for next year -- neither would say that the driver would actually be there.

The hitch in this latest story is that Kimi will only vacate the seat if he is paid his full salary, something like $49 million. If one adds Massa's salary and the salary one could expect to Alonso to make to that, 2010 would make for a stupendously expensive driver's budget. With Alonso cleared of any sanctions in Renault's crash-gate, it looks like Ferrari has some decisions to make -- forty-nine million of them...

[Source: F1 Live | Image Source: Paul Gilham/Getty]

Rumormill: Raikkonen could be back at McLaren in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Renault F1 placed on suspended two-year, Briatore banned indefinitely?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Renault

The World Motor Sports Council took only 90 minutes to reach a verdict in the case of Crashgate - wherein former driver Nelson Piquet, Jr. intentionally chucked his car into the wall at last year's Singapore GP to hand the win to Renault teammate Fernando Alonso. Realizing that Renault was contrite and that the company's disappearance from F1 would be bad for a lot of people, the WSMC handed the company a two-year suspended sentence. If Renault - and its people - keep clean until the end of 2011, it will be free and clear again. As usual in these cases, Renault F1 will also be making "a significant contribution" to racing safety projects.

As for team head Flavio Briatore (above), he couldn't even go down shooting. Having walked away from Renault and not in attendance at the WSMC hearing, all of the doors to FIA-sanctioned motorsport were closed behind him. Not only is he barred "for an unlimited period," from any kind of involvement in any race series or team, no driver "who is associated (through a management contract or otherwise) with Mr. Briatore," can get a Superlicense. We guess that mean's he's left to hang his head at his Billionaire's Club... or with his model wife... or on his yacht...

Pat Symonds, Renault's executive director of engineering, fared a little better, getting only a five-year ban. It appears the difference is that Symonds admitted participation in the "conspiracy," while Briatore still denies he had anything to do with it. We wouldn't be surprised to see Symonds in racing again, but perhaps not on the wall in F1 even after the five years is up. Piquet was given immunity for his help with the investigation, but his career has probably been given a terminal blow to the head. Alonso was found not to have known anything about the plot, which cynics, like Nelson Piquet, Sr. have found hard to believe, but this could clear the way for Alonso to potentially head to Ferrari without issue. Hat tip to Bertland!

[Source: Formula 1.com | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

BREAKING: Renault F1 placed on suspended two-year, Briatore banned indefinitely? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds leave Renault F1

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Renault

Flavio Briatore might have wished that he had been a little kinder to client and former Renault F1 driver Nelson Piquet. After Piquet was sacked for non-performance following the Hungarian Grand Prix this year, he sought revenge by saying that Briatore and team engineering director Pat Symonds instructed him to crash during last year's Singapore GP. The crash, done correctly, would cause the safety car to come out, and that would give teammate Fernando Alonso the best chance of winning the race.

Piquet crashed, the safety car came out, and Alonso won the race. It's been reported that at least one driver thought the crash was suspect, and Williams' Patrick Head said Piquet confessed to a journalist after the race that he crashed on purpose. Piquet's motivation was to keep his Renault seat for 2009. Not having done that, he's got little left to lose... well, other than his career or the chance that any other team will hire him...

Based on evidence gathered, the FIA called Renault to account for its actions during the Singapore GP to the World Motorsport Council. The team hadn't been found guilty, but leaks indicated that the affair was looking suspect. Perhaps hoping to save the team from suffering over the actions of just two men, Briatore and Symonds have departed in what looks remarkably like a Ron Dennis move after McLaren's Australian GP debacle. Renault's only statement on the matter, before Monday's WSMC meeting, said that "The ING Renault F1 Team will not dispute the recent allegations made by the FIA concerning the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix." For all kinds of reasons, happy and tragic, on the track and off, this has been the most intriguing F1 season in years.

[Source: F1 Live | Image Source: Mark Thompson/Getty]

BREAKING: Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds leave Renault F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FIA digging for dirt in Renault F1 investigation

Noah Joseph — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Renault

Nelsinho Piquet at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix

The FIA is always sticking its nose around, sniffing around for some trouble. So, when the motorsport governing body opened a new investigation into the Renault F1 team, frankly we weren't all that surprised or interested. The probe centered around claims that the team instructed its since-departed driver Nelson Piquet, Jr. to crash on purpose at the Singapore Grand Prix last year in order to help his wing-man Fernando Alonso win the race.

Now, however, the probe appears to be deepening as the FIA claims to have discovered "other issues above and beyond Singapore" during their investigation into Renault's alleged wrongdoing. In a recurrence of the "Stepney-gate" investigations held during his brief but highly controversial tenure at McLaren, Alonso was reportedly questioned at length by the FIA's lawyers, along with technical chief Pat Symonds and team principal Flavio Briatore, to name just a few of the most prominent team figures implicated.

The team is naturally denying any wrongdoing, and tellingly, several individuals who've since left the team, including former engine chief Denis Chevrier and former test driver Franck Montagny, have expressed serious doubt that Renault was up to any underhanded business. For our part, we have a feeling this isn't the last we've heard over what we'll tentatively refer to as "Renault-gate."

[Source: F1-Live]

FIA digging for dirt in Renault F1 investigation originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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F1 Updates: BMW seeks new buyer, FIA re-opens selection process, Renault granted appeal, etc.

Noah Joseph — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, BMW, Ferrari, Renault

It's anything but business as usual this year in Formula One, and this past week has been no exception, with one team scrambling to secure its future, another receiving the go-ahead to continue racing, and others re-submitting applications in the hope of joining the grid for next year.

First up is BMW, which announced it would be withdrawing its support from the Sauber team at the end of this year. After the team's eponymous founder failed to put the cash together to buy his team back from the Bavarians, the outfit is going ahead with its program to launch successive updates to its current car for Valencia this coming weekend and Singapore later this season in to demonstrate its capabilities in the hope of finding a new buyer before the season's out.

The FIA isn't holding its breath, however, and has informed seven outfits that submitted so-far unsuccessful bids to participate in F1 next season that there'll be another spot opening up on the grid for next year. In addition to BMW Sauber, reports suggest that Epsilon Euskadi and Prodrive are vying for the spot.

Meanwhile the Renault team has been given the green light to race at Valencia after successfully appealing the ban imposed on the team at the last grand prix for a loose wheel nut. The team will have to pay a $50,000 fine, whiole newcomer Romain Grosjean is confirmed to replace Nelsinho Piquet and partner Fernando Alonso.

As for Felipe Massa, the injured Ferrari driver currently recovering, the latest reports indicate that while he could be ready as soon as the Italian Grand Prix - the home race for his team - he'll more likely wait until the later race in his home country of Brazil to make his comeback.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty]

F1 Updates: BMW seeks new buyer, FIA re-opens selection process, Renault granted appeal, etc. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Musical Chairs: Renault F1 replaces Piquet with Grosjean pending FIA penalty appeal

Noah Joseph — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Renault

From left to right: Fernando Alonso, Flavio Briatore, Romain Grosjean and Nelsinho Piquet launch the 2009 Renault R29
Click above for high-res image gallery

Typically, most of the drivers who start a Fomula One season are the ones who carry it through to the end. But this has turned out to be anything but a normal season, with erstwhile backmarkers winning races and a big game of musical chairs ensuing. Toro Rosso has already switched out Sebastien Bourdais for Jaime Alguersuari, Ferrari was set to bring Michael Schumacher back from retirement but ended up having to deputize test driver Luca Badoer instead, and now Renault has followed suit by axing Nelson Piquet, Jr. and replacing him with its test driver, Romain Grosjean.

The move started last week when Renault announced Piquet's departure. The son of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet, Sr., Nelsinho (as he's known) moved up to F1 after two seasons in the GP2 feeder series also run by Renault team principal Flavio Briatore. Aside from a solitary, though impressive, second-place finish in Germany, the young Brazilian failed to finish nine races last year, and had yet to score a single point this season. Piquet's termination prompted him to launch a series of tirades against Briatore, whom he characterized as an ignorant executioner.

Piquet's replacement, Romain Grosjean, won both the Formula Three Euroseries and the GP2 Asia championships before moving up to the main GP2 series, where he placed fourth last year and is currently runner-up in the standings, in addition to his role as Renault's official test driver. Renault is waiting to see if he and teammate Fernando Alonso will start the upcoming European Grand Prix, pending their appeal of a penalty given at the last race in Hungary for an improperly secured wheel. Confirmation of Grosjean's promotion pends a successful appeal.

Gallery: 2009 Renault R29 F1

[Source: Autosport]

More Musical Chairs: Renault F1 replaces Piquet with Grosjean pending FIA penalty appeal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORTS: Massa recovering but may never race again, Renault suspended for safety infraction [UPDATE]

Noah Joseph — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Renault

In a development mirroring countless racing movies, Felipe Massa's doctors say that the injured driver is showing progress in his recovery, but that he may never race again. The Brazilian pilot, who narrowly missed winning the title last year, was knocked unconscious on Saturday by a loose component off the car of fellow countryman Rubens Barrichello - who coincidentally used to hold Massa's seat at Ferrari - and taken to the hospital in Budapest. Although Massa's injuries are no longer considered life-threatening and he was reportedly able to move limbs according to doctors' instructions, severe damage to his left eye could spell the end of his career.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo visited Massa at the hospital together with team principal Stefano Domenicali, who will stay with Massa's family - including his pregnant wife - another day while doctors determine how much longer he should stay at the Hungarian military facility before being moved closer to home. While Felipe's projected recovery time remains unclear at this point, it looks like he will be out for at least the rest of the season, meaning that the Scuderia will need to find someone suitable to fill his seat. The last time Ferrari had to temporarily replace an injured driver was ten years ago when Michael Schumacher broke his leg at Silverstone. The team then elected to bring in Mika Salo, who supported team-mate Eddie Irvine in securing the constructors' championship for the team, rather than promoting one of its veteran test drivers.

Massa's injuries follow hot on the heels of the Henry Surtees incident that saw the son of former world champion John Surtees killed in a Formula 2 race a week ago, throwing the FIA into action to prevent further incidents. The Renault team was handed a one-race suspension as a penalty for a stray wheel that broke loose from Fernando Alonso's F1 car on Sunday and bounced dangerously down the track on the thirteenth lap of this past weekend's race. The FIA ruled that the team should have alerted its driver to the improperly secured wheel nut, and will subsequently have to sit out the upcoming European Grand Prix at Valencia, considered a home race for the penalized two-time world champion.

UPDATE: We've added a gallery of images taken during and after the incident, though should warn you that the gallery includes a shot of Massa after the accident occurred. It is not for the faint of heart, so don't look if you can't stomach seeing injuries well.

Gallery: Felipe Massa crash at Hungarian GP

[Sources: Boston Globe and New York Times | Image: MAURICIO LIMA/AFP/Getty]

REPORTS: Massa recovering but may never race again, Renault suspended for safety infraction [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault joins Ferrari with threats to leave Formula 1

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Renault

Renault R29 F1 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

After hinting at its displeasure, Renault has joined the the threats made by other manufacturer-supported teams (Ferrari chief among them) that they'll quit F1 if the FIA doesn't change its proposed rules for next season. The motorsport governing body put forward a new set of regulations that would effectively create a two-tier system in Formula One, forcing teams to choose between severely capped budgets or even further restricted parameters for building and fielding their cars in the series.

Like the other corporate teams, Renault can afford to sit out the season, objecting that the teams' voices have fallen on deaf ears and that the FIA is governing unilaterally, putting the onus on Max Mosley to rethink his strategy or else watch all the major teams march out. With the deadline for registration rapidly approaching, the controversial FIA chief is set to meet with the Formula One Teams Association sometime this week to see if they can iron out a deal, so stay tuned, or follow the jump to read Renault's statement in full.

Gallery: 2009 Renault R29 F1

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault joins Ferrari with threats to leave Formula 1

Renault joins Ferrari with threats to leave Formula 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Piquet Jr. does donuts in his Renault F1 car... at Ski Dubai

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Videos

Click above for the video of Nelson Piquet Jr. putting F1 on ice

Nelson Piquet Jr., Renault's other driver, recently took a Renault R28 F1 car out for a spin in the snows of Ski Dubai. We're not sure if it's the same chassis that Ben Sulayem crashed at another event in Dubai, but if it is the Renault mechanics earned their money. One thing is certain, though: Ben Sulayem is a very good driver, but the fact that he crashed the car on a dry track while Nelsinho keeps it under control doing donuts in the snow shows you just good the average F1 driver is. Follow the jump to watch the vid.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Piquet Jr. does donuts in his Renault F1 car... at Ski Dubai

VIDEO: Piquet Jr. does donuts in his Renault F1 car... at Ski Dubai originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ben Sulayem crashes Renault F1 car while racing Ford GT in Dubai

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos

Click above to view the video after the jump

Ben Sulayem (or Mohammed bin Sulayem), the UAE championship rally driver hailing from Dubai, was involved in a high-speed crash earlier today at the Dubai Autodrome. Sulayem was racing a Ford GT in the Renault R28 F1 car ahead of the Renault F1 Roadshow this weekend and lost control, shunting the multi-million dollar racer into a wall. According to reports from the ground, the Renault was spinning its tires down the straight when it finally regained traction, causing an uneven transfer of grip and pulling the car to the right - narrowly avoiding the Ford - before it crashed into the pit wall. Sulayem walked away from the crash uninjured and the Renault is currently undergoing repairs. Hit the jump to watch a video of the crash (beware, NSFW language).

[Source: AutoMiddleEast]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ben Sulayem crashes Renault F1 car while racing Ford GT in Dubai

VIDEO: Ben Sulayem crashes Renault F1 car while racing Ford GT in Dubai originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Congeniality Award? Renault launches new R29

Noah Joseph — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Renault

Click on either image to view the new Renault R29 in high resolution

Wow. After seeing a few of this year's Formula One cars unveiled already, we really didn't think that the cars could get much uglier. We were wrong. Enter Renault with its latest R29, decked out in yellow and orange. And white. And red. And blue. Throw in some green and we'd be back at the Benetton team that preceded it.

Of course, it could hardly matter less what the car looks like, so long as it keeps the pace with its field-leading rivals. And in the last half of this past season, Renault showed that it could. But with all the new regulations in place, it's a whole new ballgame, and who's to know if the French team - returning to the grid with Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet, Jr. - will be able to ride back up the field to the championship-contending potential it demonstrated just a few years ago with back-to-back titles. We'll just have to wait and see.

Gallery: 2009 Renault R29 F1

[Source: Renault F1]

Congeniality Award? Renault launches new R29 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault F1 confirms both Alonso and Piquet for 2009

Noah Joseph — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:21:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Renault

Now that the 2008 Formula One championship is decided, teams will begin moving on confirming their drivers for next season. And while several already have, one major question mark has just been resolved as Renault has confirmed the extension of Fernando Alonso's contract. And not just for next season, but through 2010. Along with it, they've confirmed his team-mate's contract through next season as well, giving the team continuity for its upcoming assault on the title.

Renault managed a notable recovery in the latter part of this season that saw Alonso win two races back to back. And while that may be a far cry from the two titles he won with the team a couple of years back, it's a start. That no doubt had a positive impact on Fernando's decision to stay with the team, but insiders were surprised to see him sign for two more years instead of one. Meanwhile, though Nelson Piquet Jr. had a rough start to the season, he managed to pull off some noteworthy performances when the team found its form again, earning him a renewal as well.

The hirings should allow the rest of F1's teams, now relieved of the suspense, to confirm their drivers for next season. So far, Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, Williams and now Renault have announced they're sticking with the same pairings, and Red Bull has confirmed Sebastian Vettel is moving up to take Coulthard's seat alongside Mark Webber, leaving Toro Rosso, Toyota, Honda and Force India to announce their drivers for the upcoming season. Stay tuned.

[Source: Renault F1]

Continue reading Renault F1 confirms both Alonso and Piquet for 2009

Renault F1 confirms both Alonso and Piquet for 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault rolls out F1 edition Dacias in Brazil

Noah Joseph — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Misc. Auto Shows, Renault

Click above to view more of the Dacia Sandero F1 edition

Oh, this is just precious. We have no problem with Renaultsport rolling out F1-themed versions of its hot hatches because, well, they're pretty hot. Some of the hottest hatches around, actually, it's worth re-iterating. But we can't help but feel this is pushing things a little too far.

Renault's Dacia division is supposed to be a budget-oriented, no frills sub-brand. And while F1 may be working on the budget orientation, spec'ing out some low-cost econo-boxes with go-fast bits is a little much. But that's what they're doing at the Sao Paulo auto show soon to kick off in Brazil. To compound the issue, the pair of F1 Team editions of the Dacia Sandero and Dacia Logan receive no mechanical upgrades whatsoever, just a fresh coat of paint and some decals. So while American driving enthusiasts may look longingly at F1 Team editions of the Clio and Megane, this is one we can do without.

Gallery: Dacia Logan and Sandero F1 editions

[Source: Argentina Auto Blog (no relation)]

Renault rolls out F1 edition Dacias in Brazil originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RIP: Dino Toso, 1969-2008

Noah Joseph — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Renault

The motor racing world was bereaved this week to learn of the passing of Dino Toso. The former director of aerodynamics for Renault F1 was diagnosed with cancer back in 2004, but continued to work until two months ago.

Toso came from the aerospace industry and started his career in motorsports in 1995 with BMW's GT program before being picked up by Jordan Grand Prix in 1997. He then moved with Mike Gascoyne to Renault in 2000, where he remained until this year, playing a central role in the back-to-back drivers' and constructors' titles which the team won in 2005 and 2006. He was named Aerodynamicist of the Year in 2005. In a statement released earlier, fellow Italian Flavio Briatore noted, "His contribution to the team, both through his results and his courage in the face of illness, are an inspiration. He will be missed enormously and the immediate thoughts of the whole team are with his family."

Dino passed away at the young age of 39 on Wednesday morning. Our condolences go out to his friends, family and colleagues.

[Source: Autosport, Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty]

RIP: Dino Toso, 1969-2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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