[Racer Duck]

Excerpted from Q & A with Renault technical director Bob Bell



Q: So what about how you have tackled 2008?

Firstly, we have put the problems from 2007 behind us, and we know that our design tools like the wind tunnel are working well. That was a very important part of our work last year, to ensure we could put ourselves back on track. In terms of the car design, we have looked at the problem afresh. We have pushed very hard in all areas, and particularly on the aerodynamics; we are confident that the progress we have seen in the wind tunnel will be reflected on track.

Q: What new development paths have you followed with the R28?

The front end of the car has come in for particular attention, notably the front wing and the front suspension. The suspension architecture is now much more akin to what is deemed ‘fashionable’: the zero keel solution offered us no real benefit for a number of years, but it has opened up potential for us this year in order to extract maximum performance from the tyres. The aero team has paid particular attention to the rear end, tailoring the bodywork and suspension. And we haven’t neglected the new car ‘basics’: taking weight out of the car, and improving stiffness. The reality of modern F1, though, is that the quality of the aero package determines a car’s success - and this has been our primary focus.

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DOF, what is "the zero keel solution"? That's not a term I'm familiar with.