Renault’s Eric Boullier: Finishing ahead of McLaren and Mercedes will be success – Formula 1 Update
Renault team boss, Eric Boullier, has said that 2011 will be a great season and finishing ahead of McLaren and Mercedes and behind Red Bull and Ferrari will be seen as a great success for the team. He further commented about the front exhaust position of
the Renault as being a good innovation for the team.
Renault’s pre-season was struck by a great tragedy when their front line driver, Robert Kubica, crashed his car while competing in a local rally in Italy. He was severely injured and was written off the 2011 season immediately. The Renault team named his
replacement, Nick Heidfeld, and hoped that injured Kubica will make his way back in 2011 season.
Despite having all the problems prior to the season, Boullier was confident of the team when he said, “It's too early to say if we can win races. It will be hard to be there with Red Bull and Ferrari. But they will be our main rivals.”
Renault’s forward exhaust position has gathered the attention of many in Formula 1, as Williams' Technical Director, Sam Michael, said that it is one of the innovations brought to the game. Also, the Mercedes team is reported to have copied their exhaust
system. Talking about the new innovative exhaust position Boullier said, “We spent a lot of time thinking about it and discussing it, as it was a risk. But in the end we said 'Why not?'”
Talking about the Championship contenders like Mercedes and McLaren, Boullier said, “I very much respect Ross Brawn, Mercedes and McLaren and I know they have greater resources; if we can stay ahead of them it will be a great success for us.”
The Renault team has had great pre-season tests, as they have managed almost 4,000 Km which is more than the struggling McLaren team. Kubica was able to top the tables on the third day in Valencia and Heidfeld managed the same on the third day of the Jerez
test. Apart from that, they have had less mechanical and electrical problems than many of the champion teams like Mercedes and McLaren.
The 2011 Formula 1 season starts in Australia on 27 March and Renault will be in for a fight.
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