Formula Renault 2.0
The Formula Renault 2.0, launched in 2010, is set to evolve in 2013 with the arrival of a new upgrade kit. The changes made by Renault Sport Technologies and its technical partner, Tatuus, focus mainly on the car’s aerodynamics and safety features, giving the Formula Renault 2.0 improved performance while complying with the latest 2012 FIA F3 standards.
Felipe Massa, Kimi Raïkkönen, Lewis Hamilton, Romain Grosjean, Jean-Eric Vergne, Charles Pic, Daniel Ricciardo and, most recently, Kevin Korjus and Robin Frijns, are among the many drivers to have made names for themselves aboard the Formula Renault 2.0. The Formula Renault 2.0, the base of Renault Sport Technologies’ Formula One access pyramid, will evolve in 2013 to become even closer to other current high-level single-seaters, particularly the Formula Renault 3.5.
To reduce costs, all the existing mechanical and electronic elements will be retained, notably the 210bhp Renault F4R 832 engine and seven-speed sequential gearbox with steering wheel-mounted control. The new kit mainly modifies the car’s aerodynamics and carbon elements. The front and rear wings have been retained in order to keep costs under control.
The new design, with its new body shell and new flat bottom, improves the aerodynamics of the 2012-version Formula Renault 2.0 significantly, adding 30% more load without increasing drag. The torsional stiffness of the body shell has also been improved, and the weight reduced by 15 kilograms. As such, the performance of the development car, which has already completed more than 650 kilometres of tests, is improving.
Safety, Renault Sport Technologies’ top priority, is also increased. This allows the car to comply with 2012 FIA F3 safety standards, with the exception of the anti-intrusion panels.
The Formula Renault 2.0, equipped with this new kit, will compete next season in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, Formula Renault 2.0 Nec and Formula Renault 2.0 Alps.
The Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 will also evolve on a competition level in 2013. Thirty-six single-seaters will be allowed to enter the discipline. After a specific selection process, the World Series by Renault organising committee will retain twelve teams, with each team entering three cars. An award of €500,000 will still be allocated to the winner of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 to allow them to compete in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series the following year.
Finally, for the first time, Renault Sport Technologies is to stage a series of end-of-season collective testing sessions, open to all teams that own Formula Renault 2.0s. These tests will take place in Spain, at the Catalunya circuit (6, 7 and 8 November 2012 and 27, 28 and 29 November), at Motorland Aragón (12 and 13 November) and at Valencia (22 and 23 November).
Official Renault Sport Press Release.