Fuente : Renault F1 Team
http://www.renaultf1.com/

FORMULA 1 - RENAULT: Pat Symonds: “Monza needs a mix of aggression and finesse”

/noticias.info/ The Executive Director of Engineering explains why the team is testing this week in Monza – and discusses the old circuit’s unique characteristics.


The Renault F1 Team has already arrived in Monza, ten days before the Grand Prix. Why? Along with every other team apart from Minardi, they are testing this week for the race ahead. The circuit’s characteristics are so unusual that the teams need to conduct specific tests before racing there. “It’s a question of safety,” explains Pat Symonds. “Monza is the place where we reach the highest speeds of the year, over 360 kph on the straights. The teams all develop specific packages for this race, and we need to test them to ensure driver safety for the race.”

This means that if a team was to encounter problems in testing, they would still have time to react. It wouldn’t be easy to improve poor aerodynamic performance, but solving reliability problems is a realistic goal. The drivers also need some laps to get used to a car that handles very differently to usual. “Generally, they come back to the pits with similar comments,” smiles Pat. “They say the engine feels great, but there’s no grip. That’s because we run such low drag and low downforce.”

It’s becoming clear that Monza is a one-off circuit. “You need to approach it with aggression but also finesse,” continues Pat. “For example, the first chicane is a horrible corner for an F1 car: you need to throw the car across the kerbs. But the Lesmos, Ascaro and Parabolica need a deft touch so you don’t lose too much speed by scrubbing the tyres, or being too aggressive.”

What’s more, this week’s tests will have a direct impact on preparations for the forthcoming race. Running this week will help teams conserve mileage during the Grand Prix weekend. “It helps that Monza is a circuit that does not change too much from the test to the race,” concludes Pat. “Unlike Barcelona, where temperatures and wind direction can have a big impact on how the car handles, Monza is not a particularly sensitive circuit – so the work we do this week will be of direct use next Friday.” notas_de_prensa_archivo