“We will get our wind tunnel at the 60 per cent level during the off season,” team boss Eric Boullier told Auto Plus.
According to the current regulations imposed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), each team is allowed to run wind tunnels in which 60 percent scale models can be operated. However, Renault's wind tunnel and rolling road is only able to operate 50 percent scale models.
With the in-season testing ban imposed by the FIA two winters ago, all of the F1 team's testing on a circuit happens in the off-season, throughout 15 days of actual track action. Once the season starts, all new aerodynamic parts are tested in the wind tunnel – as you all know, the car that starts the season never resembles the one finishing it – which makes it a vital component in the development work of a team.
The fact that Renault F1 will update their wind tunnel also means that the Enstone based organization, now backed by Luxembourg's Genii Capital, is on an upward financial path. Recent reports have hinted that Eric Boullier's squad is close to securing a major sponsorship deal with credit card company Mastercard, although no official information were disclosed to the media.
In case a major deal is indeed under way, it is believed it will ensure the financial backing Renault F1 needs to battle for the world title in a few years time. This was actually Robert Kubica's main request – the assurance that he will be given a title winning car in the next few years – when negotiating a contract extension with Renault.
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