2006 Renault F1 R26

(from Renault Press Release) World Champions!

After a perfect performance in today's Brazilian Grand Prix, Renault has won the 2006 FIA Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship and Fernando Alonso is the new 2006 FIA Formula 1 Drivers’ World Champion. The Renault F1 Team has repeated its 2005 double after a highly spectacular season, during which the team again proved its sporting, technical and human qualities by producing the R26 single-seater that has been consistently fast and reliable.

Carlos Ghosn declared: "Renault's success in winning both championship titles for the second year in a row represents a huge achievement. This is the victory of the Renault brand; a brand that is enthusiastic, innovative and capable of commanding latestgeneration technologies. And Renault triumphed with only the fifth-largest budget on the starting grid. Quite an achievement!"

An exciting, roller-coaster season, from Bahrain all the way to Brazil

Fernando Alonso made a fantastic start to the season, with six victories and three second places. By June, he held a strong lead in the championship, with a points total of 84 out of a possible 90.

At Hockenheim, the Ferraris finished first and second. In Turkey, a titanic struggle between Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher saw the Spaniard finish second, behind a Schumacher who was more determined than ever. Spectators the world over were thrilled by the battle between Alonso and Schumacher for the title, while their team mates, Fisichella and Massa, fought it out for third and fourth places.
The Renault-Michelin combination was again dominant in China, but Alonso had to settle for second placed, behind Schumacher. After the Chinese round, the two title challengers had exactly the same number of points and Renault regained the lead of the Constructors championship. The Japanese Grand Prix saw a reversal of Ferrari's fortunes and both the Renault F1 Team drivers finished in the top three for the fourth time this season.
At the end of a Brazilian Grand Prix that matched the rest of the season for excitement, the second and sixth placed finishes of the two Renault drivers were enough to win both titles for the brand.

Perfect chemistry for an exceptional performance

This double title is the fruit of the efforts made by the international teams working in Viry- Châtillon, France, who design the RS26 engine, and in Enstone, UK, who are in charge of the R26 chassis, both under the chairmanship of Alain Dassas and the management of Flavio Briatore. The outstanding performance and reliability of the Renault R26 are founded on the talent of the team's two drivers and the skills of the entire engineering staff. This year's title has gone to the best chassis-engine combination.

The team's technical and human achievements are also the fruit of strict and thorough economic management. The Renault F1 Team has carried off both titles with just the fifth largest budget in Formula 1.

Quality and reliability: two key concepts in F1 and series produced vehicles

Renault's double title underscores the brand's technological and engineering excellence and its outstanding reliability, which is supremely important in F1. Winning both titles in two consecutive seasons is a clear demonstration of the robust design, production and development processes applied to the engine-chassis combination.

The same high demands for reliability and quality are shared by the Formula 1 single-seaters and Renault's series produced vehicles. As part of Renault Commitment 2009, the brand has committed to placing Laguna in the top three vehicles in its segment in terms of quality: a goal that the Renault F1 Team shares by aiming for a podium finish in every race. While the circumstances may be different, it is the same approach and the same quest for perfection that drive all of the teams working at Renault.

For Renault, Formula 1 is a unique testing ground for technical and organizational solutions, such as 3D prototyping technology, software and hardware or the organization of project teams. These solutions are then rolled out in the engineering organizations. Inversely, some fifteen experts in aerodynamics, engineering and information technology from Renault's Technocentre joined the F1 team in 2002. Their experience in a working environment where development cycles are extremely short – one year – has been an opportunity to learn how development lead-times can be shortened in the automotive industry.
Another example in the current range is the venturi on Clio Renault Sport, which was directly derived from a system used in Formula 1.

Victory in Formula 1: a driving force for the entire Renault Group

By triumphing on all five continents, the Renault F1 Team acts as Renault's international flagship, especially in countries where the group's reputation is gaining strength. The F1 Team presents the public with an image of quality, enthusiasm and success that paves the way for the introduction of the brand's vehicles on international markets. Customer surveys have shown that success in Formula 1 has contributed to improving the image of the Renault brand. 63% of the general public believes that Renault's world titles are a sign of the brand's reliability, quality and its technological edge.

This series of victories has stirred unprecedented interest amongst Renault's employees, who are proud to work for a double world champion. Yet again, Renault has risen to the toughest of challenges with passion and enthusiasm.