autoevolution
 

Renault Add New Testing Date to Schedule

Renault might be the last team to conclude off-season testing ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in late March. According to Spanish newspaper Diario AS, it seems that the French manufacturer is considering adding another test to their winter schedule in order to make sure they start the new season with a competitive car.

The aforementioned source revealed that the extra test for the Enstone-based team should get under way on March 16th, some one-hour drive from its headquarters, at Silverstone circuit. This would be Renault's last test this year – until the 2009 Abu-Dhabi Grand Prix, at least – as FIA's latest in-season testing ban is to take effect as of Melbourne.

The Silverstone test would be Renault's 2nd unscheduled appearance on a track this winter, as Flavio Briatore's team have already ran an extra session of data-recording testing on their car at Kemble Airport earlier this week, as recently reported by the aforementioned source.

The team's next testing session is scheduled to begin as early as next week, at Jerez. While some teams have decided to change the location of next week's testing – and switch to Bahrain – due to the poor weather forecasts, Renault seem likely to stick by their decision and conduct their second official test session of the year in southern Spain.

Renault are also likely to introduce a new nose on the R29 at Jerez. And it won't be the only change brought to their 2009 challenger either, as team's technical director Pat Symonds revealed the aerodynamic package for the 2009 season will undergo several modifications in order to bring the car to an optimum level of performance.

The Renault R29 underscored poorly during the first group test at Algarve in January. It is believed that the team will focus more on car's performance during the remaining test sessions of the off season.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories