Renault re-entered Formula 1 in 2002 with the R22, a totally own car (chassis and engine), to regain its status as a leader. The new 112º V10 engine had a very low center of gravity and respectable power. Under Ferrari hegemony, the Button and Trulli riders added points to place Renault fourth among the builders.
In the 2003 season, Spanish Fernando Alonso arrives to Renault, who won a victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. In 2004 Jarno Trulli achieved a victory with the R24 in Monaco and Renault ascends to third in the Constructors' Cup.
Finally, the desired successes would come from the hand of Fernando Alonso in 2005, with the Renault R25. The Renault F1 team introduced a new V10 engine of 3,000 cm3 at 72º with a very low center of gravity and more power.
The most important thing was the gain in stiffness and the differences in the anchor of the impeller. The changes also made it possible to greatly improve the aerodynamics and keep under the weight of the car, at 605 kg including the rider.
The 2005 season began in the best way for the French. Renault won the first 4 consecutive Grand Prix and accumulated a total of 8 wins. The first win came thanks to Giancarlo Fisichella in Australia. Subsequently, Fernando Alonso won 7 Grand Prix and was crowned Pilot Champion with a good margin over Finnish Kimi Räikkönen.
While McLaren was a tough opponent (winning 10 races), the Renault team was more consistent and scored more points, remaining with the Constructors Cup by a small margin of points, 191 against 182 from McLaren.
Renault developed the RS26 V8 engine at 90º of 2,398 cm3 of 95 kg. Although the smaller, two-cylinder engine produces less power, it also radiates less heat, so Renault reduced the radiators and reduced the size of the side pontoons, obtaining aerodynamic benefits.
Other changes can be seen in the adoption of a new semi-automatic 7-speed gearbox made of titanium. Having one more gear would compensate for the lack of torque compared to the old V10 engines. Finally, the Renault R26 weighed 5 kilograms less than its predecessor.
The 2006 season started well for Renault, with victories for Alonso and Fisichella. Meanwhile, Schumacher and his Ferrari 248 F1 were a tough rival until the last date, winning 7 races.
Fernando Alonso was crowned champion in the last competition of the 2006 championship in Brazil, arriving second. In total, Renault won 8 races, being 7 obtained by Alonso, who defeated Schumacher by 13 points.
The Renault F1 team won the Constructors Cup by a tight 5-point margin, adding 206 against 201 Ferrari. The balance showed a very even duel between the two teams.
© Adrián Blanco 2007 - No full or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —
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