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The 2014 Formula 1 season featured sweeping changes to engine regulations with the normally aspirated V8 units being replaced by advanced turbocharged V6s featuring radical new energy harvesting technologies.
The first track tests of Renault's new Power Unit were quite challenging, to say the least.
“We endured a difficult testing period and the first few races. No one would have expected such a level of competitiveness after the pre-season tests,” said Renault Sport F1 Managing Director, Cyril Abiteboul.
[TD="class: caption"]Cyril Abiteboul, Renault Sport F1. (Photo: WRi2)[/TD]
“We revised our goals and made a series of tweaks to gradually regain the reliability and performance we expect of ourselves,” he added.
“Highlighting one single element as the source of our improvement would be impossible,” Abiteboul explains. “Instead, it's the development of multiple parts that has resulted in a much-improved Power Unit to the one that began pre-season testing last January.
Making steady progress
“Components have been modified to make them more robust; chassis teams have learnt a great deal about integration and cooling; engine and energy management control advances have enhanced driveability and efficiency; and the ‘knocking' sensation caused by cylinder pressure has been neutralised thanks to the help of our official fuel partner, Total,” the French engineer explained.
Abiteboul is confident Renault will do better in 2015, but he's not willing to admit that the French car manufacturer will mount a real challenge to Mercedes.
“Obviously, we have a huge job list ahead of next season, but also a clear direction and focus, as well as the determination to challenge for more wins in 2015. Mercedes has set the bar extremely high, most notably in terms of how their Power Unit and chassis teams have seamlessly worked together,” Abiteboul explained.
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The first track tests of Renault's new Power Unit were quite challenging, to say the least.
“We endured a difficult testing period and the first few races. No one would have expected such a level of competitiveness after the pre-season tests,” said Renault Sport F1 Managing Director, Cyril Abiteboul.
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[TD="class: caption"]Cyril Abiteboul, Renault Sport F1. (Photo: WRi2)[/TD]
“We revised our goals and made a series of tweaks to gradually regain the reliability and performance we expect of ourselves,” he added.
“Highlighting one single element as the source of our improvement would be impossible,” Abiteboul explains. “Instead, it's the development of multiple parts that has resulted in a much-improved Power Unit to the one that began pre-season testing last January.
Making steady progress
“Components have been modified to make them more robust; chassis teams have learnt a great deal about integration and cooling; engine and energy management control advances have enhanced driveability and efficiency; and the ‘knocking' sensation caused by cylinder pressure has been neutralised thanks to the help of our official fuel partner, Total,” the French engineer explained.
Abiteboul is confident Renault will do better in 2015, but he's not willing to admit that the French car manufacturer will mount a real challenge to Mercedes.
“Obviously, we have a huge job list ahead of next season, but also a clear direction and focus, as well as the determination to challenge for more wins in 2015. Mercedes has set the bar extremely high, most notably in terms of how their Power Unit and chassis teams have seamlessly worked together,” Abiteboul explained.
More...