Renault R27

Renault R27
Category Formula One
Constructor Renault
Designer(s) Bob Bell
Predecessor R26
Successor R28
Technical specifications
Chassis Carbon-fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque.
Suspension (front) Carbon-fibre double wishbone, with pushrod and rocker operated inboard torsion bar/damper units.
Suspension (rear) Carbon-fibre double wishbone with gearbox-mounted vertical torsion bars and horizontal dampers.
Engine Renault RS27 2400cc 90-degree V8. Naturally aspirated, mid-mounted.
Transmission Renault seven-speed instantaneous shift.
Fuel Elf
Tyres Bridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrants ING Renault F1 Team
Notable drivers 3. Italy Giancarlo Fisichella
4. Finland Heikki Kovalainen
Debut 2007 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
17000
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0

The Renault R27 is a Formula One racing car, used in the 2007 Formula One season.

It made its first public outing on 16 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.[1] 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' championships. 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.[2] By the end of the year, the car was being out-paced by Renault-powered Red Bull, Williams, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Toyota and Honda. 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.[1] 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 reflected the team's then-new title sponsor, the ING Group, and consisted of an assortment of colours including orange, white, yellow and dark blue.[3] The colour scheme was not positively received by all Formula One fans, however.

An interim livery - dark blue and yellow - was used during early test sessions and at the car's official launch in Amsterdam on 24 January.[4]

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC
2007 Renault Renault V8 B AUS MAL BHR ESP MON CAN USA FRA GBR EUR HUN TUR ITA BEL JPN CHN BRA 51 3rd
Giancarlo Fisichella 5 6 8 9 4 DSQ 9 6 8 10 12 9 12 Ret 5 11 Ret
Heikki Kovalainen 10 8 9 7 13 4 5 15 7 8 8 6 7 8 2 9 Ret

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 "Question Marque", Renault R27 launch article, Autosport magazine, 25 January 2007
  2. ↑ Renault 'complacent' about wind tunnel, itv-f1.com, ITV Sport, 20 July 2007
  3. ↑ "Renault reveals new look for new era", itv.com article , retrieved 24 January 2007
  4. ↑ http://www.formula1.com/news/5505.html


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