F1: 2009 Season Review

Formula 1

F1: 2009 Season Review – Renault

Here's a look back at the 2009 Renault F1 Grand Prix season...

SPEED Staff | Posted November 20, 2009 Charlotte, NC

French carmaker Renault is reportedly about to sell its share in the Formula One team bearing its team. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Renault F1: Formula One Grand Prix Team

Team Principal: Bob Bell

Drivers: Fernando Alonso, Romain Grosjean (Seven rounds), Nelson Piquet Jr. (10 rounds)

Constructors Finish: 8th (26 points)

Best Finish: 3rd Alonso: Second (Marina Bay)

Pole: 1 (Hungary)

http://www.renaultf1.com/en

Chassis: R29 / Engine: Renault RS27

To say the year was a disaster for the Renault F1 team is putting it mildly. A year after finishing fourth in the constructor’s standings with two-time world champion Fernando Alonso scoring back-to-back wins near the end of the year, the team struggled to maintain the pace.

At Hungaroring in July Alonso appeared to be in a great position to bring the team a victory when he scored the year’s first pole for the team. But a terrible miscue in the pits sent Alonso out with a loose wheel that soon fell off. Although the tire struck no one, the accident came just over a week after a fatal accident involving Formula Two driver Henry Surtees who was struck by a loose wheel and a day after Felipe Massa was critically injured by a piece of debris during practice.

The Hungarian Grand Prix ended in disaster for Alonso and would eventually earn the team a one-race suspension from the FIA. The team appealed and the suspension was lifted and changed to a fine of $50,000.

From there Renault’s off track troubles escalated. In August Nelson Piquet Jr., was replaced by Romain Grosjean and not long after whispers of an emerging scandal began to be heard in the paddock. The whispers eventually became what came to be known as the ‘crash-gate’ scandal, an alleged conspiracy with Piquet to cause deliberate crash in '08 Singapore Grand Prix. The aftermath saw the departure of team boss Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds.

Renault replaced Briatore with Bob Bell, apologized and tried to move on. The end of the season contained no highlights for the team as Alonso and Grosjean both struggled the final three events.

“We have to recognize that this has been a difficult year for Renault,” Jean-François Caubet, Renault’s managing director said. “From a technical standpoint the year started with confusion, and on the human side we will miss Fernando who is leaving the team. From the political perspective, all the problems that we have encountered this year have been negative for us and for Formula One. But next season is full of hope; we have turned the page and the future is ahead of us.”

As for the future of the Renault F1 team, they have said that they won’t even confirm they will be in Formula One in 2010 until the end of 2009. One thing is for certain, Alonso is headed to Ferrari, and Robert Kubica will replace him. As for Grosjean, it seems as though his time in the seat was brief. Heikki Kovalainen, Timo Glock and Nick Heidfeld are some of the names linked with the ride for 2010.

PHOTOS: Renault F1 2009 Formula One Grand Prix Season Review

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SPEED Staff

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