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 248 F1 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 succession, 13 points ahead of rival Michael Schumacher. It brought the last Constructors Championship in recent history to tyre manufacturer Michelin.

Like its rival the Ferrari 248 F1, 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.


[edit] References

  1. ^ 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 BHR MAL AUS SMR EUR ESP MON GBR CAN 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