Renault R30

Active: 2010
Team: Renault F1

Drivers: Robert Kubica (11), Vitaly Petrov (12)
Team: Eric Boullier (TP), Bob Bell (MD), Rob White (Deputy managing director - engine), James Allison (TD), Tim Densham (CD), Dirk De Beer (HA), Alan Parmane (Chief Race Engineer)

The Renault R30 is the French team's attempt to leave history behind. The team has restructured completely over the winter after the departure of Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds. Former technical director Bob Bell has taken over the role of technical director, while Eric Boullier joined the team as principal.

Along with the new wind left a whole series of sponsors, and hence Renault went back to its stunning yellow and black livery. As both drivers also left, the new guys behind the wheel are Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov, the first Russian driver ever in Formula One.

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With KERS gone and the aerodynamically troubled R29 behind them, the team renewed its rolling road in the windtunnel, allowing them to run 60% scale models instead of 50%. The 4 weeks during the shutdown were used by running the CFD centre at full throttle. Ahead of the season, the team is aware of its deficit, and it therefore aims to challenge for podiums by the end of 2010, and the championship in 2011.

On 19 January at the launch, the following comments were made:

Technical analysis

At the launch on 31 January the car surprisingly featured a front wing that resembled much that of a 2009 version, despite it being pinpointed as one of the problems of the 2009 car. The next day however, the car debuted on track and features a three element front wing with a stacked element, very similar to that of McLaren and clearly well thought out. Along with it, the rear wing was also new, featuring a drop in the centre where the wing attaches to the single central rear wing support.

The nose cone is, contrary to the 2010 trend, lower than its predecessor. Although still rather bulky, it lacks the extra bulge underneath, trading some downforce with lower drag.

The sidepods are a clear evolution, and contrary to the three other cars that launched before the Renault, the R30 has sidepod air intakes that extend to the car's floor, instead of featuring rectangular inlets high above the car's floor.

The rear end of the car is still very much unclear as most of the tail is covered up. The rear wing does however still sport a single central support, with heat stickers attached to them. The team will no doubt be interested in the temperature of this element when the car is driving, as the engine's exhaust have been moved backwards and more to the centre of the car.

Specifications

Chassis: Moulded carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque, manufactured by the Renault F1 Team and designed for maximum strength with minimum weight. RS27-2010 V8 engine installed as a fully-stressed member
Front suspension: Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones operate an inboard rocker via a pushrod system. This is connected to a torsion bar and damper units which are mounted inside the front of the monocoque. Aluminium uprights and OZ machined magnesium wheels
Rear suspension: Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones with pushrod operated torsion bars and transverse-mounted damper units mounted in the top of the gearbox casing. Aluminium uprights and OZ machined magnesium wheels
Transmission: Seven-speed semi-automatic titanium gearbox with reverse gear. “Quickshift” system in operation to maximise speed of gearshifts
Fuel system: Kevlar-reinforced rubber fuel cell by ATL
Cooling system: Separate oil and water radiators located in the car's sidepods and cooled using airflow from the car's forward motion.
Electrical: MES-Microsoft Standard Electronic Control Unit.
Braking system: Carbon discs and pads (Hitco); calipers and mastercylinders by AP Racing.
Cockpit: Removable driver’s seat made of anatomically formed carbon composite, with six-point harness seat belt by OMP Racing. Steering wheel integrates gear change and clutch paddles, front flap adjuster.

Car dimensions and weight

Front track: 1450 mm
Rear track: 1400 mm
Overall length: 5050 mm (250 mm more than R29)
Overall height: 950 mm
Overall width: 1800 mm
Overall weight: 620 kg, with driver, cameras and ballast

Engine

Designation: Renault RS27-2010
Capacity: 2400 cc
Architecture: 90° V8
Weight: 95 kg
Max rpm: 18,000 rpm
ECU: McLaren Electronics Standard ECU
Fuel: TOTAL
Oil: Elf (a brand of TOTAL)
Battery: Renault F1 Team