The Renault F1 Team and Racing Blue are delighted to announce the launch of the Renault F1 Team Collection, a unique range of bespoke furniture and objets d'art.
The Renault F1 Team Collection was born from an idea by David Ambrose, a successful property developer and avid F1 enthusiast. He spotted a niche in the Formula 1 team memorabilia market for highly-engineered, elegant objects that reflect the sport's high-tech image. "There was nothing on the market that reflected the brilliant engineering, and beauty, of Formula 1 cars. That's what we wanted to create," explains David Ambrose.
Having discussed his idea with long-time friend Rod Vickery, a former F1 marketing specialist who still works in sponsorship acquisition, they formed Racing Blue, and then approached the world champion Renault F1 Team with a licence programme that would allow them to enter the market with a unique product, and the prestige of Formula 1 success.
Graphic design company d.vision create developed the initial concepts, working with original equipment from the world championship-winning R25 F1 car under creative director Jonathan Davis. "We had to create products people wanted to use, with real aesthetic qualities," he explains. "And it was imperative to achieve the same level of quality that the Renault F1 Team achieves."
The pieces are manufactured by Interart, a Buckinghamshire, UK-based company well-known for making film props. Their brief was to transform the initial designs into reality, with a minimum of changes to the original components.
The results are an impressive collection of intriguing functional and beautiful objects. They remain true to the spirit of F1 by maintaining the integrity of each component, yet transform the components completely. Transmission gears have metamorphosed into handsome candlesticks, the intricate exhaust pipes have become a dramatic lamp, and the delicate wishbone suspension is a silver and titanium-rimmed vase.
"Form follows function in the world of Formula 1, but the objects that make up our racing car are beautifully-crafted objects in their own right," explained Renault F1 Team Operations Director John Mardle. "The Renault F1 Team Collection has met every expectation we had in terms of producing unique, high-quality products that capture the values of Formula 1. They highlight the skill and craftsmanship involved in winning at the highest level."
Every item in the launch range is from the 2005 Renault F1 R25 world championship-winning car, and a true limited edition. New items from the R25 and R26 will be introduced through the year and, just as a Formula 1 car evolves through its life, so too will the Renault F1 Team Collection.
For further information visit the Renault F1 Team Collection website at renaultf1teamcollection.com.
