Everything about RDD

For the past four years, the Renault Driver Development programme has successfully discovered talented young drivers and helped propel them to the upper echelons of motorsport. This year Jose Maria Lopez, Lucas DiGrassi, Romain Grosjean and Ben Hanley are announced as 'class of 2006'. Everything you need to know about the Renault Driver Development programme.

When did Renault create this programme, and why?
"The Renault F1 Team created the programme in 2002. The RDD’s goal is to identify young motorsport talent, with the objective of accompanying them to the highest levels of competition. Since its creation, the programme has been acknowledged to be a prestigious, rigorous and effective programme. Heikki Kovalainen joined the scheme in 2002, and has taken each step to his current role as third driver with the Renault F1 Team for 2006."

What qualities are required to become an RDD member?
"Renault prepares its future through the RDD programme, by investing in talented young drivers whose skills have been identified as early as karting. Members are ambitious and competitive, demonstrating professionalism and maturity on and off track. Given the demanding nature of competitive motorsport, the RDD drivers must be able to adapt to all environments and be able to constantly assess and improve their performances.
Renault considers the RDD drivers to be true ambassadors for the marque, and they must therefore communicate the values of the company."

How does the programme work?
"The RDD programme offers members a season in the championship that is most suited to their level. In order to help them achieve their targets on track, Renault offers them a rigorous training programme with the Renault F1 Team. The programme also includes communications training, which helps them to better understand the demands of the media."

How are the drivers evaluated at the end of each year?
"Renault gives each of its drivers a target to attain in their chosen championship. The end of season assessment includes on-track performance, as well as motivation, professionalism and the driver’s ability to successfully graduate to a higher level."

What importance is given to physical training?
"Physical training is paramount: a driver is first and foremost a high-level athlete and rigorous physical preparation is crucial to success. The RDD programme allows the drivers to benefit from top-level physical and mental preparation.
Each RDD driver follows a tailor-made training regime, devised by their trainer. They undergo continuous assessment to check their progress, assess their achievement and improve their abilities. At regular intervals throughout the year, the drivers go to Enstone – the Renault F1 Team’s chassis base – where they follow an individual training programme for a full week."

What about nutrition?
"Nutrition plays a major role in any sportsman’s physical training. The programme makes them aware of this point, and offers them guidance on eating to meet their physical needs. A properly-nourished and hydrated sportsman gains in performance."

Do the drivers complete joint training camps?
"Two or three times a year, the RDD programme organises a training camp for all the drivers. Away from Enstone, the RDD members meet up for a week of intensive sports training. The activities include cycling, running, tennis, squash, swimming, climbing, kayaking, surfing… The training is different to their daily programme, and designed to provide a more entertaining approach while renewing their motivation.
The training camps also draw out the drivers’ competitive instincts, leading to a healthy rivalry between them."

Is there a strong team spirit in the RDD?
"Building team spirit is important to the Renault F1 Team. In the eyes of Renault, it is important for drivers to view their job as part of a team effort, alongside mechanics, engineers and other team members. As a result, it is fundamentally important that the RDD drivers understand the value of teamwork: as well as creating healthy competition within the group, it allows the older members to guide and assist the younger ones in their training, and also their driving."

What is the HPC?
"This is located at the Renault F1 Team’s chassis base in Enstone, England. It stands for “Human Performance Centre” and is dedicated to driver training. The facility is available to the RDD drivers at all times, and features the latest training equipment to allow the drivers to perfect their physical conditioning."

http://www.f1technical.net/news/1798