Thrilling starts by Renault!

By role
March 9 2004

The Renault F1 team has many paddock insiders wondering how both Renault drivers could be so quick on their start of the Australian Grand Prix. Trulli was able to pass 4 cars going from 9th to 5th while Alonso was able to jump Montoya and Jenson Button at the start.

Renault was the team with the best electronic launch control in the paddock during the 2003 season and where the ones to loose more from the banning of the launch control.

However, the team seems to have found a system to control wheelspin during the start. Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering, talked about it to Autosport.com:

“It's not something we want to talk about, but read the rules…” he said. “We were quite impressed by the traction Fernando seemed to get on the grass, and the start Jarno made was pretty good as well. It's true that it's very difficult to overtake in F1 and the start is one of the best times to do it. Obviously we work very hard at that.”