Renault's artwork part 2: the keris

In Silverstone, we had a crouching tiger (yes, the dragon was hidden!) to speed us towards victory; the unique artwork livery did the trick, as Fernando sped to his third consecutive race win and Fisico to a battling fourth place finish.

For the Canadian Grand Prix, young Malaysian designer Yazid Bin Md. Yusof from Kuala Lumpur was given the blank canvas of Fernando and Fisico’s R26 race-car. The result is inspired by a magical weapon from ancient Malay culture: the keris.

An object of veneration in Malay culture, the keris is believed to be endowed with mystical powers – a magical weapon capable of eliminating rivals and protecting its bearer.

Certainly the omens could not be better: Malaysia has always been one of the team’s best circuits, with an all-Renault front row and Fernando’s first podium in 2003, victory in 2005 and a one-two finish in 2006. Hopefully some of the keris’ protective magic can rub off in Montreal, where the team has finished just once in its last six starts!