■Double F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel visited Renaultsport F1’s base in Viry-Châtillon in Paris today to celebrate his world title success with Red Bull Racing’s engine suppliers, Renault■Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner and chief technical officer Adrian Newey accompanied Sebastian to thank Renault for their contribution to his success this year■Carlos Tavares, Chief Operating Officer of Renault, welcomed the party. After addressing the 250 staff working at Viry-Châtillon,
Sebastian, Christian and Adrian visited the major departments of Renaultsport F1 including the design office, engine assembly bay and engine dynosRenaultsport F1 has supplied its RS27 V8 engine to Red Bull Racing since 2007, with the collaboration maturing into one of the most successful chassis-engine partnerships of all time. Together the partnership has produced 27 wins, 38 pole positions and consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ double crowns in 2010 and 2011. Red Bull Racing and Renault announced a five-year extension of the partnership at the 2011 Italian Grand Prix and will work together until at least the end of the 2016 season, collaborating on the new engine regulations due to be introduced from 2014.
Sebastian said, ‘In many ways the team of people designing, building and optimising the Renault RS27 engine feels like one big family, so it was fantastic to come here today and thank them all in person. The co-operation between Milton Keynes and Viry is fantastic and they are pushing hard to make the engine even better and allow Adrian and his team to design the best chassis they possibly can. The amount of commitment this year has been extraordinary: if there was anything that made a difference, this was it: the teamwork. The success we have had these last two years is a fantastic reward for the commitment of everyone here at Viry and within the wider Renault group.’
Christian Horner said, ‘We came into this year with a lot of pressure and everyone has risen to the challenge tremendously. We have achieved so much in such a short space of time and the records we’ve beaten this season are a great fillip for the teams at Red Bull Racing and Renault. It’s a real partnership; the Renault guys on the ground are as hungry as we are to win. We’re delighted to be with them for another five years. The collaboration has matured into a genuine partnership and that will only grow stronger over time.’
In recognition of the long association between Adrian Newey and Renault – which began in 1991 when Renault supplied engines to the Williams team – Adrian was presented with a unique gift, a sculpture of parts from various race-winning engines. Together, Adrian and Renault have secured seven constructors’ titles and six drivers’ crowns.
Adrian Newey, ‘I worked with Renault in the 90s while I was at Williams and was impressed with the commitment, innovation and drive of the team at Viry-Châtillon. Renault understands that the engine-chassis package is just that; it’s a joint effort. This has been particularly important this year with the use of the exhaust gases and the proposed changes, and Renault has been there every step of the way to optimise the packaging of the engine, the heat diffusion and the fuel consumption so we can maximise aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical grip. RSF1 has been crucial in the development of the RB7, so I’m really pleased to be able to thank everyone behind the scenes who has contributed so much to the success we’ve achieved this year.’
Jean-François Caubet, RSF1 managing director, added, ‘We have around 250 people working to constantly innovate the RS27 within the context of the regulations, while maintaining our excellent reliability record, so for our staff to be able to meet the final users is very satisfying. Red Bull Racing and Renault have forged a very successful partnership, which has just been extended for the next five years, so we will continue to have the best possible shop window to demonstrate the quality, reliability and innovation of Renault technologies. We are already looking forward to next season!’
* Subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA
