The Great Renault Implosion.

What the hell is happening? They seem to be going backwards this year. I have a feeling this will be their last season in F1.

Thoughts?

 

I'm a bit surprised also. However, on the same note let's take a look at the changes.

* Switched tires from Michelin to Bridgestone
* Loss of their top driver Alonso
* New car
* Engine freeze rule
* Other intangibles (personnel changes, etc)

I understand that most of these changes affected all the teams, but Renault has been hit the hardest this year - same as Ferrari were in 2005.

I bet all these changes added up to their sudden slide and out of all of these I believe that the tire switch hurt them the most.

On a side note - what's up with Toyota & Honda - sheeze!!!!

 

They say it is because of the tyres. They used to have a great contract with Michelin. And now they just can't get the cars setup to fit the tyres.

The other day i heard that with the Michelin tyres they had a lot of weight in the back of the car because that worked best with those tyres.
Maybe that's also the reason why they had such great starts.


I don't think it's because they lost FA. They lose so many seconds as to last years car.
FA is good, but not that good.

 

+1

it's due to the tyres, and nothing else. sounds very much like the F2005.

 

Actually the Speed guys were commenting on this and Flavio's answer was, that they don't even know why they're so slow. Not good, but then again what do I care?

 

Haha! So true.. I can't stand Flavio and his arrogance
What goes around comes around

But what i can't understand is that they don't know what is wrong
They know absolutely everything about that car and pump in alot of money and now there is a problem and no one knows what to do

 

Renault can't seem to get the 'balance' sorted out using the new tires. The car's handling just doesn't inspire confidence in the drivers hands. Their motor is still good but they can't get the most out of it with the poor handling they are wrestling with all the time. Alonso was smart to leave when he did. Even if he did not; know it at the time...
CH

 

Do you think Alonso would have expected something like this?

 

Don't know. The reason he made the move to McLaren when he did was that at that moment it looked as if Goshn, the new Renault CEO and cost cutter would terminate the F1 program. Just read the brilliant article listed in post 1 of this thread:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145941&page=3

Tells you the whole story why Alonso switched for what reasons etc.

Leading up to today's race there was a brief interview with Alonso and he said something to the extent, that he sure is happy to have made the switch given the current performances of the McLaren and the Renault team. It looked as if he was smiling for having dogged a bullet.

 

Still, how the mighty have fallen. I really hope Renault stays in F1. We need more Renault and less Toyota.

 

they will. i don't see them going anywhere.

 

Agreed . I love how last year around this time Flavio was very cocky in all of his numerous statements. Now you rarely hear from him; quality!

 

Yes it's the tyres ... though more how the car is not designed for them. Bridgestone are not going to change for Renault.

Maybe Renault will pump out a new car before the end of the year also ... for next year.

On top of that they have drivers that cannot drive around problems, or (I believe) develop cars. Time to sack them ...
Pete

 

This is no worse than Mclaren from 2003-2004.

 

The Kovalainen kid was a mistake. Maybe he WILL be good, but replacing Fred with this kid? Put him back in the oven (a lesser team) he is not ready yet.

 

correct. Flav was quoted saying that they don't know what the problem was or how to understand the problem. Michael made a similar statement back in 2005, when he was struggling with the grips and balance of the car.

a very very similiar thing that happened to Ferrari back in 2005 is happening to Renault. Guess it's payback time, God musn't be a Renault fan

 

Be careful what you wish for, there is no more arrogant team in F1 than Ferrari.

 

Agree ... he should be doing F3000 (or modern equivalent). Not ready for F1.

Pete

 

What other option did Renault have? They planned on using Heiki anyways, so they might as well stick him in there when the car isn't very competitive, so he can have the experience for when the car is better. He's already improved, and Fisi barely beats him currently. I think he'll improve as the season goes on, and beat Fisi.

 

I'm thinking of the driver, not the team. Drivers need to learn the art of racing (not just lapping), not be dumped in the big time. Renault IMO probably have killed his motorracing career ...

Pete

 

Maybe, maybe not. While I meanwhile get your point about the plucking of unripe fruit, Heikki really was never anywhere on any list. The Race of Champions put his name on the forefront of the news and then Flavio went for the kill. Maybe he would have found his way into F1 anyway, who knows, but to me it looks like he used that one moment of fame to get his foot into the F1 door.

Bottom line is, that so far I'm disappointed with his performance and I realized that the Race of Champions can't be taken that seriously. I'm still hoping that Heikki develops and eventually sends Fisico into retirement. But replacing one midpacker with another midpacker isn't really what I was hoping for.

 

Didn't Heikki finish second in GP2?

 

so wat? GP2 and F1 are 2 different things. ask Tonio Liuzzi

 

Yeah, but atleast he has been learning the art. Nobody, even MS, can jump straight in a F1 car and be any good.

Thus ferraridude615's post is very relevant. I'm very interested in the paths drivers take to F1, because I believe there is a minimum learning requirement to be a good racer, not just a lap turner. I also believe that some recent drivers have skipped too many years and that is one of the many reasons why the quality of recent (last 5 years say) F1 racing is relatively poor. Look at the difference a properly trained driver like Hamilton has made, he's actually racing not just lapping and thinking corporate BS. For example imagine 20 drivers like MS racing ... it would be magic.

Did Heikki do a fiercely competitive series like Formula Ford?
Pete

 

I said it once, and I'll say it again-It's the new livery!