BlogF1

As the build up to the 2008 season continues, today we have the the second of BlogF1’s guest post series to enjoy. This time we welcome the thoughts of Sidepodcast writer and podcaster, Christine Blachford. Christine discusses the return of Fernando Alonso to Renault and the pairing of the Spaniard with young hotshot Nelson Piquet Jr. Continue Reading

From heroes to zeroes, the story of Renault’s 2007 campaign is one of disappointment and anguish. Following two sensational seasons in Formula One, the frugally budgeted Anglo-French squad fell on their backsides with the R27, not helped by the defection of their wonder-driver Fernando Alonso to rivals McLaren. Despite losing out to BMW and slipping out of the top three (McLaren inclusive), Renault do have a lot of talent working away in their Enstone factory, and with a little more effort and maybe some luck the flamboyant Flavio could raise the manufacturer squad back up to the top within a year. Whether or not Renault choose to wait that long though is another question entirely. Continue Reading

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This week I have been reminded of the 2005 United States Grand Prix; it’s something I try not to think about too often, but occasionally my mind is forced in that direction. Interestingly though, it wasn’t the usual trigger that sent me off towards the empty and puzzled feeling I get over the debacle. No, for once it wasn’t Max Mosley who reminded me of the race. Instead, and perhaps for the first time since the race, it was a beer can that made me recollect the farcical event. Continue Reading

Today was Renault-day with regards to new car launches, and the Anglo-French squad chose Paris to unveil their 2008 machine to the media. As mentioned earlier, the team hope to find their winning ways again, although rookie Nelson Piquet Jr is cautious to not hype his own chances too much. While Fernando spoke of being pleased to be back at Enstone, Piquet Jr is just thankful for the opportunity to prove himself and hopes for a consistent season in 2008. Here are some more quotes and photographs from Renault’s R28 launch. Continue Reading

Renault today unveiled their 2008 challenger in Paris, marking the return of Fernando Alonso to the team and partnering Nelson Piquet Jr in a bid to reclaim the Formula One world championship. Called the R28, the Anglo-French team hope the troubles they experienced in 2007 will be rectified and they can return to their dominant form last seen in 2006. The team continue with the title sponsor ING and thus the livery hasn’t changed much. However, along with the other new cars the aero features on the new chassis have been tweaked and developed to provide the drivers with a more stable and better performing machine. Continue Reading

Following the roll out of the new Williams FW30 this morning at the foggy Valencia circuit, Renault have also sent their 2008 car onto the circuit for a few preliminary shakedown laps, the R28 in the trusted hand of Fernando Alonso. Despite the cold weather at the Spanish track and a fog-interrupted morning, the new Renault rolled out of the garage allowing local fans to catch the first sighting of the car that Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr will be driving this year. Continue Reading

It was a busy fortnight for Formula One, with several teams launching their new cars and the first official test of the year at Spain’s Jerez circuit. We saw Ferrari looking good with their F2008, McLaren looking promising and Nick Heidfeld driving his BMW F1.08 inside. Away from the circuit we also heard of some changes to rules and a possible budget cap for 2009. Finally, ITV received some bad news from their sponsor just two months before 2008 kicks off. Continue Reading

On his debut-run in the Renault, a car which he contributed to its development little over a year ago, Fernando Alonso has topped the timing sheets, even out-pacing Pedro De La Rosa in the McLaren. In what can only really be described as a wipe the grin off Ron’s face moment, Alonso popped in two quick runs, the fastest being a 1m19.503s, almost 0.15s faster than his fellow countryman. Ferrari weren’t too far behind either, with Kimi Raikkonen going third and Felipe Massa going fifth, both in the new F2008. Continue Reading

With Fernando Alonso’s future still not set in stone, potential Formula One refugees are looking elsewhere for drives for the 2008 season. Flavio Briatore, Renault’s boss, has stated that his team would have “new drivers” for next year, intimating that both Heikki Kovalainen and Giancarlo Fisichella will either be demoted to a testing role or will leave altogether. Kovalainen looks good for the McLaren seat, but he faces competition from Nico Rosberg and Adrian Sutil. Interestingly though, both went on record earlier in the week stating that there futures lie with their current teams, Williams and Force India respectively. Continue Reading