The Mild Seven Renault F1 Team today proudly launched its 2005 Formula One season at Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum, unveiling the Renault F1 R25 in front of 600 worldwide media representatives and VIP guests.
Introducing the team’s 2005 challenger and driver line-up, Renault F1 Team Chairman Patrick Faure announced ambitious objectives for the coming season. “No longer will we be satisfied to be regular podium finishers,” asserted the Frenchman. “This season, we must take regular race wins. Since Renault’s return to Formula 1 in 2002, we have set ambitious objectives. We have achieved them each time, and I believe we can deliver on our promises once again. We want to be fighting for the world title in 2005-6, which means we must be among the teams who can compete with Ferrari on an equal footing this year.”
The car that carries the team’s hopes has been christened the Renault F1 R25. The vehicle project was co-ordinated at Enstone by Technical Director Bob Bell, with Chief Designer Tim Densham and his team working to minimise the initial performance deficit caused by changes to the technical regulations. The car features a brand new integrated electronic system, optimised packaging and detail design as well as an all-new V10 engine, the RS25. Development of the unit has been led by Project Leader Axel Plasse, under the guidance of Technical Director Rob White at Viry-Châtillon. The 72° V10 engine, designed for a reliability target of over 1400 km, features a significantly lower centre of gravity than its predecessor, and has not gained weight in spite of its doubled life cycle.
Managing Director Flavio Briatore highlighted the new car as a symbol of the team’s growing stature: “In Formula One, you always need to be moving forwards, questioning your approach and getting better. Our two technical centres are in perfect synergy and this is reflected in the engine-chassis integration of the R25. The Renault Technocentre has also continued to provide valuable support in key technical areas. The team has done a very impressive job.”
With Spaniard Fernando Alonso and Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, the team also boasts a driver pairing to be measured against the best in Formula One. “As part of our team philosophy, we expect total dedication and performance from every team member, and that begins with our drivers,” continued Flavio Briatore. “They are responsible for the efforts of many people who work tirelessly to give them a winning car. The combination of Fernando and Giancarlo offers a blend of youth and experience, and they share the same competitive and aggressive attitude on the track. During the 2005 campaign, it will be key to score points regularly with both cars. We have high hopes for our driver line-up.”
The Mild Seven Renault F1 Team was also pleased to announce the addition of a new official partner, Chronotech, and two new suppliers to strengthen its partner base, Tecnomatix and Champion. “We pride ourselves on offering value for money to the companies who invest in our success,” concluded Flavio Briatore. “We continue to enjoy the loyal support of our title sponsor Mild Seven, and that of major partners such as Elf, Michelin, i-mode, Telefonica and Guru, as well as the vital contribution of the Renault Group. We are delighted to add Chronotech to our partner line-up, and to have consolidated our range of technical suppliers over the winter: these deals are further confirmation of the team’s robust commercial health. Our budget is not the biggest in Formula One, but it is enough to achieve our ambitions.”
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