It seems that the new F1 season will be dominated by Alonso and the Renault team. Since all cars have now changed to V8's, I reckoned that all top teams would have to start from zero, and equal chances for them all. Surprisingly, it's again Alonso and Renault that seem to have their team better in shape than the rest, and that Ferrari is struggling once more. What is Renault's secret for their success? What are they doing better? Is it teammanager Briatore perhaps?
Any ideas?

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2011 Prius

So far, they have made fewer mistakes than other teams. McLaren will never seriously compete for Constructor's Championship if only one car finishes each race!

Montoya cost us 6 stinkin points in Melbourne!

Kimi's had some bad luck...his first lap crash in Malaysia wasn't his error, but might not have happened if they qualified on the front row.

As to Renault, they had better enjoy it while they can....Alonso is coming to McLaren next year and word is that Renault may pull out and not have a "works" team next season. Flavio is a character....I'd love to have a beer with him sometime, especially in the company of Heidi or one of her girlfriends!

Its driving me nuts!!!! *()^(*^()*&^*(^(&%_(&*%(_%&(_ Renult )^*(_^*(^(^()&%^(&

I want Ferrari or Mercedes/McLaren to win. Ferrari needs to hire Kimi for next year, if he had a reliable car he might actualy get some points.

Also the new V8's are weak, I miss the V10's.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

... it does seem that Schumi has his best years behind him now. Perhaps even Todt needs a successor as he still doesn't appear to be able to get Ferrari's act together, even if the Bridgestones caused last season's disaster. But I don't think Alonso is really such a terrific talent: it's his car that is incredibly reliable and has the best set up and tactic for each race. Renault doesn't have the F1 heritage that McLaren and Ferrari have, but they do somehow know exactly how to get the very best result. I've also read rumours that Renault will stop after this year, which explains Alonso's seat in McLaren in 2007, why else would he leave a winning team ?? If McLaren ever wants to win the title, they should hire Briatore aswell.

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2011 Prius

I didn't give Alonso much credit before but he does consistantly outpace Fisicella. He had his lead nulified many times with the safety car and still made no errors. After one safety Kimi was right behind him with a few lappers in between and I thought, Hey, were going to see a race, but no, Aloso just scampered away. The Renault is fast. Schumi may have his best years behind him but to me he is still one of the top three. Gotta feel for Button blowing up like that.

Jorg

Renult just has a really good car this year. For the past 7 years that Ferrari was king Rebult was rotting in the back with Jag and Honda.

If Mercedes/McLeran wants to win a race they should first build a car that can finish....then take it from there.

I think that if Kimi got a good car he would win the championship.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

It's interesting to wonder why Ferrari ruled F1 for so many years, and what exactly happened that made them sink back to where they are now. And also how come Renault is suddenly doing so incredibly well since 2-3 years? I suppose the big teams all have sufficient budget to do all the research, design, engineering and testing they want. Sheer luck -or lack of it- can decide a race but not a championship. Technology-wise, their cars basically don't differ significantly that much. Same for the drivers. In the winning team, all the pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly together. Seems more like a management achievement really, to perfectly coordinate all the different people, competences and processes in the team organization.

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2011 Prius

You could see the birth of Renault as a contender 4 seasons ago. The car just looked "smooth", for lack of a better word. There was something very graceful and composed about how it went down the track, and how it took corners. When the driver doesn't have to fight the car as much, it becomes easier to put down good, consistant lap times over and over again. I'm not 100% sure why this is, but I do remember 4 or 5 years ago they experimented with a 110 degree V10 configuration. They had a lot of trouble with it in the first year, but I believe they sorted it out. The wider V angle served to lower the centre of gravity somewhat. I'm not sure if they have followed through with the wider angle in recent years or if they scrapped it.

After they got the chassis sorted out it was just a matter of developing power, which they've clearly managed to do. I don't recall Renault ever having the fastest car on the track. But they've had the fastest reliable car for a few years now. McLaren was faster last year and looks faster this year, in short bursts. But the Renault is more reliable. Maybe that's the secret? Not making your car as fast as possible, but making it as fast as you can, reliably.

If you want to add insult to injury, Renault did all this last year on a budget of 160 million US. Compared to McLaren (approx 250 million), Ferrari (reportedly 375 million) and Toyota (nearly a HALF BILLION), Renault is operating on a shoestring budget. Why Alonso would want to leave them is beyond me.

Well Toyota is so flush with cash now they can afford to spend $500M+ a year.

I wonder who bank rolls Ferrari though? I can't imagin they sell enough cars to support this.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Eet ees the brilliance of zee Fah-rench engineers.

Frenchies rock!

-zeemach

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Advertising. Companies like Marlboro, Shell, Bridgestone and the rest will pay a fortune to have their logo prominently displayed on the car that spends all that time on camera. Worldwide brands can justify the expense because F1 gives them access to a worldwide market, although US viewership is much lower than the rest of the world.

Makes sense, this didn't work so well last year for Mich did it!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Oh, Snap! Yup, that one didn't turn out so well...

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K