Q+A Bob Bell
It have been long weeks for the F1 Teams with back-to-back races and a test session at Spa-Francorchamps. Still there was time for a quick-fire interview with the ING Renault F1's Technical Director, Bob Bell, explaining his passion for F1!
"I was six or seven years old and a couple of brothers lived next door. One was building a Formula Ford, and the other a kart. I’ll always remember the quality of their work; it’s engraved in my memory."
What was the first race you attended?"The 1979 Dutch Grand Prix. I saw Gilles Villeneuve coming back to his pit on three wheels, one of the legendary images in F1!"
How did you arrive in Formula 1?"I studied aeronautics and soon realised that I wouldn’t have enough patience to work on projects that were going to take ten years to come to fruition. I decided to try my luck in F1 and John Barnard got me into McLaren."
How long have you been working at Renault?"I arrived from Jordan at the end of 2001."
What’s your best memory at Renault?"Fernando Alonso’s victory in Malaysia in 2005. There was nothing lucky about it and I realised that we could probably fight for the title. It was the start of a fantastic adventure."
Who’s the best driver you’ve worked with?"I’ve been lucky enough to work with several exceptional drivers, and if I had to put one at the top of the list it would be Ayrton Senna. His level of involvement in the setting up of a car and the confidence that he exuded were exceptional."
What’s the best F1 race you’ve seen?"Suzuka 2005, when Kimi Raikkonen passed Giancarlo on the last lap. A great race, even though it wasn’t great for the team!"
What’s the funniest thing you’ve heard from Flavio?"At Silverstone this weekend Flavio wanted all the team principals to sign a document and he said to Rob White, our engine technical director: “Rob, there’s nothing to do on the engines this season, so you can look after it!”
What would you have done if you hadn’t worked in F1?"I’d have worked in the aviation industry. Would I have stayed? I’m not sure."
What’s lacking in F1 today?"People need to remember that F1 is about entertainment above everything else. Watching a grand prix must be a unique experience for the people who make the effort to come and see it. We have to think about them."
What would you change in the current technical regulations?"I’d allow tuned mass dampers!"
What music would you listen to during a Grand Prix?"This year we’re pushing very hard so I’d reckon on something with a good rhythm – almost military, in fact."
What team do you prefer winning against?"McLaren, even though I worked for them for fifteen years!"
How much longer will you stay in F1?"(laughs) If we don’t manage to catch the leaders quickly, my career could very well finish at the end of the year!"
Source Renault
