Launch – The Renault R29 is all about (very) new!
Renault, just like Williams a few minutes earlier, has officially launched its 2009 season. The French team, highly anticipated, unveiled its new R29 in front of the pit lanes at the Portimao circuit in Portugal: a look already controversial! See photos of the R29 The diamond is the fifth F1 team to launch its new […]
Renault, just like Williams a few minutes earlier, has officially launched its 2009 season. The French team, highly anticipated, unveiled its new R29 in front of the pit lanes at the Portimao circuit in Portugal: a look already controversial!
The diamond is the fifth F1 team to launch its new car in front of the media. The team had planned the change, and a change there is. The R29 is intended to be very different from the single-seaters shown so far.
The Renault F1 team starts by changing logos and colors. Blue gives way to red, to properly welcome Total on the mirrors, replacing Elf. Consequently, the colors are much warmer despite the much more noticeable presence of white compared to previous seasons.
From a design perspective, the single-seater aims to be very… innovative. The front wing is slightly curved in the center, and as if to emphasize the front axle’s downforce, the Renault’s nose resembles a spatula… quite simply.
To better direct the aerodynamic flow, walls descend along the nose while the openings of the pontoons are very thin.
Behind, the engine cover radically changes from Ferrari and other McLaren by two factors. First, the shark fin is still present on the R29. Then, the engine cover no longer has its usual shape, bypassing the engine. On the Renault, it forms a continuous, almost linear shape.
Finally, let us note some good news for the French side, as Romain Grosjean is now the sole reserve and test driver for the diamond brand.
