But first, let’s share a few thoughts about the car. The new challenger will no longer have the ING logos and colors on it for the 2010 season, as the Dutch sponsor left the team following the last year’s crash-gate. Consequently, the new car will benefit from Renault’s classic black-and-yellow sports livery (resembling the one with which Renault debuted in F1 more than 3 decades ago).
As expected, the Renault designers also went for a shark fin engine cover for the R30, as the one presented to the media by McLaren and BMW Sauber recently. However, as far as the Renault car is concerned, the engine cover doesn’t go all the way back to the rear wing, but stops a few centimeters from it.
Also, Vitaly Petrov becomes the first Russian driver to ever set foot in Formula One, after Renault F1’s team manager Eric Boullier today confirmed the GP2 Series runner-up as the team's official race driver for the 2010 season.
“The start of a new Formula 1 season is always a time of great anticipation. For Renault, this is particularly true of the 2010 season as we begin a new era for the team. With a new structure in place, new drivers, and new colours, there is a lot to be excited about and a lot to look forward to in the year ahead,” said Boullier.
“The R30 should be a competitive, strong and reliable car and we've opted for an aggressive development strategy. The factories in Enstone and Viry have been working flat-out during the long winter months to ensure that we begin the new season in the best shape possible. These factories have been successful in the past and they haven't forgotten how to win in Formula 1,” added the new Renault manager.
Robert Kubica will take the R30 to the track first thing on Monday, when the new testing season begins in Valencia, on the Ricardo Tormo circuit.
Scroll down for a few pics of the Renault R30!
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