Renault R27

Racing car
Car_name = Renault R27


Category = Formula One
Constructor = Renault F1
Designer = Bob Bell
Team = ING Renault F1
Drivers = 3. Giancarlo Fisichella
4. Heikki Kovalainen
Chassis = Carbon-fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque.
Front suspension = Carbon-fibre double wishbone, with pushrod and rocker operated inboard torsion bar/damper units.
Rear suspension = Carbon-fibre double wishbone with gearbox-mounted vertical torsion bars and horizontal dampers.
Engine name = Renault RS27
Capacity = 2400cc
Configuration = 90-degree V8.
Turbo/NA = Naturally aspirated,
Engine position = mid-mounted.
Gearbox name = Renault
Gears = seven-speed
Type = instantaneous shift.
Differential =
Fuel = Elf
Tyres = Bridgestone
Debut = 2007 Australian Grand Prix
Races = 17
Wins = 0 | Cons_champ = 0
Drivers_champ = 0
Poles = 0
Fastest_laps = 0
The Renault R27 is a Formula One racing car, used in the 2007 Formula One season.

It made its first public outing on the 16th January 2007 at Jerez circuit after completing a short first test at Silverstone the week before.

Aerodynamics

The R27 is outwardly similar to the 2006 R26, with several aerodynamic modifications. "Question Marque", Renault R27 launch article, Autosport magazine, 25th January 2007] The front wing design, for example, is very similar to the R26's. One unusual new feature is the placing of the rear view mirrors on the strakes on outer edge of the sidepod, following a concept introduced by Ferrari on their 2006 car (the 248 F1).

Despite the apparent similarities to its predecessor, the R27 did not emulate its results. The car proved to be relatively uncompetitive and the team slumped to fourth, generally being slower than Ferrari, McLaren, and BMW. The R27 failed to score any wins and took only one podium, at the rain-soaked Japanese Grand Prix in the hands of rookie Heikki Kovalainen. In comparison, the R26 won on its debut and won the 2006 constructors' and drivers' championship. The team put the car's uncompetitive form down to an over-reliance on the team's wind tunnel which had shown incorrect readings for how the car would perform, aerodynamically, on the track. Renault 'complacent' about wind tunnel, itv-f1.com, ITV Sport, 20th July 2007] By the end of the year, the car was being out-paced by Renault-powered Red Bull, Williams, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Toyota and Honda.Fact|date=December 2007 Many put this down to the team abandoning its development and focusing on the 2008 car.

Gearbox

The new seven-speed Instantaneous GearChange (ICG) gearbox is Renault's first attempt at a "seamless shift" gearbox. It proved to be very reliable with Kovalainen making only one retirement all season, which was due to an accident in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Livery

The R27's 2007 livery reflects the new title sponsor, the ING Group, and consists of an assortment of colours including orange, white, yellow and dark blue. "Renault reveals new look for new era", [http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=38314 itv.com article ] , retrieved 24th January 2007] The colour scheme was not positively received by all Formula One fans, however.Fact|date=September 2007

An interim livery - dark blue and yellow - was used during early test sessions and at the car's official launch in Amsterdam on January 24.http://www.formula1.com/news/5505.html]

Gallery

Complete Formula One results

() (results in bold indicate pole position)

Notes and references

*cite web|title= TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION RENAULT R27/RENAULT RS27 V8 |url= http://www.allf1.info/ |work= All Formula One Info |accessdate= 2007-09-11

External links

* [http://www.ing-renault.com/ ING Renault F1 Team's official website in English]
* [http://www.f1technical.net/news/4682 ING Renault F1 Team debuts R27 at Jerez]
* [http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=38264 Fisi shakes down new R27]
* [http://www.f1technical.net/f1db/cars/924 Detailed specification of the R27]