Clermont-Ferrand (France), October 31, 2014

Renault Sport Technologies and Michelin evaluating 17- and 18-inch tyres

Renault Sport Technologies and Michelin share the same vision that motorsport permits innovative technologies to be fostered in a competitive environment with a view to achieving closer ties with the technologies that are available to the motoring public. Accordingly, the two partners are currently exploring the feasibility of switching to 18- and 17-inch tyres for the Formula Renault 3.5 Formula Renault 2.0 championships respectively from 2016. An initial test session based on Formula Renault 3.5 cars was carried out at Valencia, Spain, followed by a second featuring Formula Renault 2.0 cars at Barcelona, again in Spain. Given the positive results achieved at these tests, Renault Sport Technologies and Michelin are pleased to announce their intention to pursue this joint-development programme, and further sessions are planned over the months ahead.

Since January, the collaboration between Renault Sport Technologies and Michelin has enabled the two companies to collect a significant amount of data after completing several hundred kilometres in testing. The two entities are carefully studying the results of this groundwork in order to obtain a thorough understanding of the repercussions any changes in tyre dimensions might have for the drivers, as well as in terms of grip and suspension performance.

As far as factors such as top speed, road holding, tyre wear and the wear of other components are concerned, the early conclusions are positive. Despite requiring a certain number of small modifications, the cars feature a more modern look and benefit from enhanced cornering performance. Early testing at Valence also revealed a gain of one second per lap for Formula Renault 3.5 cars round the Spanish track.

Michelin stands out as a pioneer in this domain and, thanks to experience acquired in world class endurance racing, it provides 18-inch tyres for the Spark-Renault SRT_01Es which star in the FIA Formula E Championship, as well as for the Renault Sport R.S.01. For several years, the French tyre company has made this question a condition of a possible return to Formula 1.

To perfect the way it prepares young drivers who wish to go on to compete in Formula 1, Renault Sport Technologies is monitoring evolutions in motor racing’s premier series very carefully. It is with this in mind that it is collaborating with Michelin to explore the use of bigger diameter tyres for its Formula Renault 3.5 and 2.0 series. Subject to the possible decision of F1 to follow the same path, as well as to the approval of the different working groups concerned, this change would allow the World Series by Renault to maintain the same high standard of training that its formulae currently deliver.

Jean-Pascal DAUCE (Motorsport Director, Renault Sport Technologies): “The championships organised by Renault Sport Technologies provide the best possible grooming for young drivers as they target joining the sport’s elite. Thanks to Michelin’s knowhow, should F1 decide to change the size of the tyres it uses, the World Series by Renault will be ready to reaffirm its mission as a school for champions. Over and above the issues of performance gains and savings regarding mechanical wear, such a switch would only entail minor changes to the cars. At the same time, the latter would contribute to bringing down costs without turning our back on innovation which is something that is dear to us.”

Nicolas GOUBERT (Technical Director, Michelin Motorsport): “Michelin has been championing the principle of 18-inch tyres in Formula 1 since 2010. For our Group, motorsport is above all an incubator for innovation. To demonstrate the benefits of our vision, we decided to use the opportunities presented by our associations with existing partners. The process got off to a successful start within the framework of the new Formula E Championship where the all-electric Spark-Renault single-seater cars use 18-inch tyres. Now, after promising tests, Renault Sport Technologies has accepted to provide us with access to the World Series by Renault which is a tremendous springboard for drivers looking to reach Formula 1. We are delighted to be exploring this innovative avenue with such a partner and we are confident that, by 2016, the cars will race on bigger-diameter tyres. In any case, the experience of our work with Renault Sport Technologies will allow us to amass valuable data for the development of future-generation Michelin tyres.”