Renault R26

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**Renault R26**

Category	Formula One
Constructor	Renault
Team/s	Mild Seven Renault F1
Designer	Bob Bell
Drivers	1. Fernando Alonso 2.Giancarlo Fisichella
Chassis	Carbon fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)	Double wishbone/pushrod operating torsion bar
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbone/pushrod operating torsion bar
Engine	Renault RS26, Mid-mounted 2.4 litre V8 (90°)
Gearbox	Titanium longitudinal, 7 speed + 1 reverse
Fuel	Elf
Tyres	Michelin
Debut	2006 Bahrain Grand Prix
Races competed	18
Constructors' Championships	1 (2006)
Drivers' Championships	1 (Alonso, 2006)
Race victories	8
Pole positions	7
Fastest laps	5

The Renault R26 was designed by Tim Densham and Bob Bell. It was the car driven by Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella throughout the 2006 Formula One season. Over the course of the season it scored 8 wins out of 18 races, despite the rival Ferrari 248F1 being a more complete all around package. The R26 helped Renault in claiming the Constructors' Championship with a 5-point advantage over rival Ferrari, and also taking Fernando Alonso to his second Drivers' Championship in succesion, 13 points ahead of rival Michael Schumacher. It brought the last Constructors Championship in recent history to tyre manufacturer Michelin.

The R26 was notable for its rock solid reliability, chassis R26-03 driven by Fernando Alonso started and finished in all races of the 2006 season without the need to be replaced (F1 drivers usually go through multiple chassis in a season), it also led more laps and won more races than any single chassis in 2006 in addition to winning the world championship^[1]. R26-03 now sits at Renault’s “Histoire et Collection” heritage collection in Paris.

The R26 was succeeded by the R27 for the 2007 season.

Alonso and Fisichella took a front row at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Alonso in chassis R26-03 at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Renault RS26 engine.

[edit] References

^ The remarkable history of the chassis R26-03

[edit] Complete Formula One Results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	Points	WCC
2006	Renault	Renault RS26 V8	M		BAH	MYS	AUS	SMR	EUR	ESP	MON	GBR	CDN	USA	FRA	GER	HUN	TUR	ITA	CHN	JPN	BRA	206	1st
				Fernando Alonso	1	2	1	2	2	1	1	1	1	5	2	5	Ret	2	Ret	2	1	2
				Giancarlo Fisichella	Ret	1	5	8	6	3	6	4	4	3	6	6	Ret	6	4	3	3	6