RS24 Engine Technical Briefing

Rob white
By Renault F1 Site Staff
March 17 2004

Renault F1 Team RS24 Engine Technical Briefing by Bob White, Engine Technical Director

How well do you think Renault, and other teams, have reacted to the engine changes?
Extending engine life to last all weekend has been a big change for every team; indeed, we are working outside of our immediate experience in doing so. At Renault, every part of the RS24 has been designed and executed with the objective of satisfying the new rules. Extensive testing has been conducted on the dyno throughout the winter, and in the car since mid-January. Assuming all goes well, the engine that starts the race will be at roughly the same mileage as we would have finished the race with last year. For me, part of the spice of these new rules is added uncertainty, and I think we will all feel it on Sunday afternoon once there is nothing more we can do.

How have pre-season preparations gone?
During January and February, the engine portion of our work has concentrated on refining the mapping and calibration of the engine and its control systems. Naturally, simulated race weekend running has also been a priority, and we have completed full mileage five times, working through four different engine specifications including the final ‘A’ spec for Melbourne. I am very pleased with our preparations.

Melbourne is generally reckoned to be something of an engine circuit. What are your performance objectives?
In terms of pure performance, this will be our first chance to properly gauge the true level of our competitors. From my point of view, I would like to see a trouble-free weekend, in which we fully exploit every opportunity to realise the car’s full potential. We are pleased to have achieved a level of engine performance for this race that exceeds our Suzuka 2003 level, in spite of the new regulations, and are now working hard on future developments.