Renault - dark horse for the remaining 4 races

[Yoong Montoya]

I think they'll do well at Hungaroring, Indianapolis and Suzuka. Aerodynamics come into play at all these tracks I think. They could still win a race this year.

[Mr V]

Not a chance, but thats only my opinion of course.

Ferrari and Williams will be too strong, and just by some chance that they do get beaten then the Macs will be first in line.

[Irv the Swerve]

You would think Hungary would be their best chance, with it being tight and twisty which would suit their chassis and engine, hot which would suit their tyres, and difficult to overtake which will suit them having excellent launch control at the start of the race, but I agree with Mr. V, I don't see it happening now that the championship is coming down to the wire. Ferrari and Williams will have too much in hand.

Possibly Suzuka will suit them too, but the Bridgestones should be back in play, plus their engine is down on HP compared to the other two.

Its difficult to see where they can crack it.

[Adam43]

Originally posted by Irv the Swerve
You would think Hungary would be their best chance, with it being tight and twisty which would suit their ...

I think you are right, however Renault didn't go too well at Austria. I think a lot of the Renault performance comes from a good aero package, which would have a bigger advantage in quicker corners.

Their great starts may help at Hungary though...

[steve nielsen]

They where also expected to do good in Monaco, but they were'nt really as good as expected(talking about circuits where you need a good aero package)

[Smokey 6 litre]

Alonso's confident (according to autosport) for the remainder of the season, especially after recieving the engine upgrade.
i think they could do it, IF they don't make stratergy mistakes like in Germany. The soft Michelins were a mistake.

[Smokey 6 litre]

i need to add, they win ONLY have a chance to win if the Willaims or Ferraris have problems.

[Adam43]

I suppose they have the 'advantage' of not having to worry about a championship, but can concentrate on just the races.

[neilap]

I dont think they stand a chance in Indy and Monza. Hungary may be their best chance.

Everyone assumes BS will be in good form in Suzuka, I seriously doubt it but miracles can happen I suppose.

[Yoong Montoya]

Originally posted by neilap
I dont think they stand a chance in Indy and Monza. Hungary may be their best chance.

I agree with you on Monza. I thought about Indy because that has a slow infield section, but maybe the long start/finish straight would cancel out any advantage.

Hungary - yes, probably their best and last chance of a victory this year.

Suzuka - has a lot of quick corners like Barcelona.

They are outsiders, but would any of you have backed Jordan to win 2 races in '99 on merit?

[Sodemo]

Have people seen the new reprofiled 130R and the Triangle Chicane?

It looks like people may be able to follow through 130R now its been opened up and "eased".

[jetsetter]

I can't see it happening but if it does i think Hungary would be the place most likely.

[Spudgun]

Reanault may have a good chance in Hungary, but as for being a dark horse for the remaining races I'm not so sure.

Their engine just doesn't have the grunt. We're all pretty certain they have the chassis, it just makes you think what could have been if they'd had an engine up with Ferrari, BMW and Mercedes this year.

They're ditching the wide angle 'V' for next year. If they can maintain their great chassis in comparison with the other teams they could and should be a formidable force.

[Omega99]

Yeah, just boost the HP and Renault will contend.

[Snrub]

I think the only thing Renault will do is perhaps push Ferrari back in the order. I don't think either will have anything for Williams, baring luck for any of the three. The real question is how good will this new engine be?

[f1manoz]

Renault will be on form (or should be) in Hungary but will struggle in Italy and Japan simply because their engine lacks grunt.

[Glen]

It is, as has been said by some, the aerodynamics that they win on - not mechanical grip & the super slow corners (which is more the forté of this year's Williams). They might be a little bit more competitve in Hungary, because of Michelin advantage and their very good use of tyres, and also their launch control and qualifying form. If it weren't for the expected Bridgestone strength at Suzuka I'd say that would be their best shot - they may well give Williams and McLaren a hard time there though, which will make the season end extra interesting.

[BootsOntheSide]

Reanult are unlikely to win any races, unles we get another big collision or a general fiasoc in the wet. Suzuka will be a good chance if Bridgestone don't get the job done there, but I think it's unliekly.

However, Reanult could effectively decide the championship if they get their cars ahead of the big 3 teams' in siome races and affect the points. Their focus is indeed on individual races, as Alonso can't really better 5th and Trulli 8th. They'll be looking to add the the tally of 3 podiusm for Alonso and 1 for Trulli, which I think they will do.

[DNQ]

I think a race win is out of the question, maybe a SLIM chance at Indianapolis and Hungary (possibly the US more I think), but only with some good luck, some incredible driving and some bad luck for McLaren, Ferrari and Williams.

That said I think 2 podiums and a front row start or two in the next four rounds is a total chance.

[paulzinho]

I think they'll mix it up but I can't see them getting a win, chance of a podium though.

Can't wait until the next race!

[RWC]

What ,no win at monza?!!
I think we are agreed then mile:

[twig]

I dont think Renault are going to do that well at Hungary. It doesnt have very fast corners, a place where Renault should excel in (Barcelona - Malaysia), like Monaco.

They were supposed to be brilliant at Monaco, but they were more of a mobile chicane, because the corners werent fast enough.

Williams will be great here, they have great mechanical grip, along with of course, good aero.

[ralf fan]

i dont think Renault can beat Williams or Ferrari to win a race ,they could still get podium finishes at Hungary and Indy

[Adam43]

http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=24254&s=5

Mike Gascoyne thinks they now have what it takes for Hungary

from the above Autosport.com page
I think this kind of circuit will suit our car,” said technical director Mike Gascoyne. “The last very high downforce track was Monaco, where we were not as quick as we should have been.But given the steps forward we have made since then, we can expect to be very strong if we perform to our full potential. I think we must aim to qualify at the front of the grid and race strongly for another podium finish.”

[avsfan733]

I agree with DNQ,I think Indy is their best bet. It seems like it would suit their car, and tires. It should be hot and with the mix of that and a greatly more efficient aero package, which is how I have heard their aero package described, as opposed to simply good. That should allto run more downforce for the infield, while having less drag which would offset the HP advantage of Ferrari and Williams.