WITH NEW LAP RECORD
Renault e.dams ha concluded its pre-season testing programme ahead of the 2016/17 season. The reigning team champions finished official testing having covered 338 laps of the Donington Park circuit and a total of more than 1,300 kilometres over three days. Combined with the previous three-day test held two weeks ago at the same track, the team’s official testing pre-season kilometre count is now over 2,200km.
The test, which started on Monday, was the final running of the cars ahead of the season-opening race in Hong Kong on 9 October 2016. Renault e.dams’ primary aim was therefore to fully prepare for the season start with a rigorous programme of long runs, qualifying simulations, race set-up evaluation and race parts shakedown. The Renault Z.E.16 ran impeccably throughout the test, allowing the team to complete its plans.
Split into six sessions over three days, it also provided an insight into the tough competition expected this year. The team underscored its resolve to defend its double crown in the latest season of the pioneering all-electric racing series: aside from the first hour shakedown, drivers Sébastien Buemi and Nicolas Prost finished each term in the top three, with driver champion Séb setting the quickest time of the three-day test – a 1:28.910 – and beating the unofficial lap record round the Leicestershire track. Nico set the third quickest time of the test.
The team now heads to Hong Kong pleased with its preparation.
Alain Prost, Senior Team ManagerThis test session we have seen a high level of competition yet again and it’s a credit to the team and drivers that we have been able to raise to the standard expected. We have set competitive times across long runs and over one lap, but more importantly we have also been able to run reliably, which will be even more important this year. The countdown to Hong Kong is now short but we go there in relatively good shape and eager to get started.Jean-Paul Driot, Senior Team ManagerWe can be pleased with our efforts this week and also with the testing programme overall. Over the last three days we have worked hard to be fully prepared for the season start in Hong Kong and we feel we have achieved our aim. We were quick over the longer runs and Séb was also able to beat the lap record on the final day. Being in the top three in each session is quite reassuring as we head to Hong Kong; the challenge will be more than present with the other teams.
Vincent Gaillardot, Renault Sport Project LeaderA successful test as we were able to complete our entire planned programme. We validated the remaining areas we needed to and were also able to shakedown the race parts we will use from Hong Kong. We were pleased to be able to run reliably over the three days and did not have any major issues. This gives us confidence for the first race and the rest of the season as we know that competition will be tough and there is no margin for error at all.
#9 Sébastien BuemiToday was the final day of testing and it was good to end it with the fastest lap and a lap record, over a second quicker than the previous one. I feel like I’m now well-prepared for Hong Kong. It will obviously be a very different circuit to here, so we will have to adopt a different philosophy, but we can take confidence from having ended the test with a good car. That’s the most important learning from the test this week and sets us up well for the season.
#8 Nicolas ProstWe have worked hard and very efficiently over the last three days. We found a good level of reliability and the car works very well; now we need to translate both into a race weekend. I think we have a good package overall and have tidied up all the rough edges, so we are very well prepared. Let’s see what happens in Hong Kong now!
