Renault's happy hunting ground: Malaysia

Since the 2002 Formula One World Championship, the Sepang International Circuit has been Renault’s happy hunting ground, and a brief look at the team’s previous performances on Malaysian soil bodes well for the coming race.

In 2002, Renault came back into Formula 1 and the French squad has always shone in the Malaysian Grand Prix. In five events the team has racked a good set of results culminating in last year’s double.

2002: first points

Five years ago Jenson Button gave the Renault F1 Team its first points on its return to F1. The English driver, who started the race from eighth place on the grid, fought his way up through the field to finish fourth behind Michael Schumacher. “We’re going to build on our promising first-race performance to try and achieve a good result in Malaysia,” said Jenson before the grand prix. He was right. The Renault R202 was fitted with a new diffuser, a new rear wing and several rear suspension modifications. Jarno Trulli had to retire because of a mechanical problem.

2003: Alonso on the rostrum

A year later Renault had another memorable race. The two R23s driven by Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli locked out the front row, and the Spaniard became the youngest driver ever to set pole in F1. He saw the chequered flag in third place behind Kimi Raïkkönen (McLaren) and Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari), despite a gear change problem. Jarno completed the team’s good weekend with a fifth-place finish.

2004: six points more

In 2004, Renault left Sepang with six points in the bag thanks to Trulli’s fifth and Alonso’s seventh place. The Spaniard started the race from nineteenth spot on the grid, and a cunning change in strategy enabled him to finish in the points.

2005: a Renault victory

Fernando Alonso dominated Sepang in his Renault with pole position and victory. It was the team’s second consecutive win and put it on track for its first world championship double. After this race the Spanish driver went to the top of the championship points table for the first time in his career. “I’m feeling optimistic even if it’s a bit too early to forecast what’ll happen this season, ” said Fernando.” What’s sure is that I’ve never been so well placed to win the championship in my career. In 2003, we were competitive on some tracks and not on others. In 2004, we were quick at the start of the season but not at the end. This year it looks like Renault’s the best team – for the moment anyway.”

2006: A Renault one-two

Fernando Alonso started from seventh place on the grid after a problem with the refuelling rig in qualifying. His team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella was on pole and the Italian controlled the race to score a well-deserved victory. Fernando stormed up through the field with one of those hard-charging drives that he pulls out of the hat from time to time and came home second. “It was a perfect race but it was also difficult both physically and mentally. I suffered,” explained Fisichella after the grand prix. “It was very, very hot and I began feeling tired towards half-distance. I knew it would be difficult and that I was going to have to fight right till the end. I had no choice; I had to push. I didn’t want to lose my concentration and I’m really happy with the result.” It was Renault's first one-two since Rene Arnoux and Alain Prost achieved the same result in the 1982 French GP.