GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Renault begins work on new simulator project

Renault begins work on new simulator project

By Jonathan Noble

Friday, September 16th 2011, 10:20 GMT

Renault has been given the green light to begin construction of a new simulator facility at its Enstone factory.

Local authorities have approved planning permission for the new building, which will be situated next to the team's windtunnel.

Team principal Eric Boullier is confident that Renault's technology should be as good as any of its rivals' - having agreed a design deal with McLaren and having Red Bull Racing's former simulator chief on board to help with development.

"Our simulator should be ready in March," said Boullier. "We are building it ourselves. We have some technology help from McLaren and I have a guy working for me now who was previously the head of simulator at Red Bull. I think he knows what he is talking about - so we have the best of everything."

Although the McLaren tie-up means that it will be given a design for a simulator similar to that in Woking, Renault still has to work on its own constructions and the software for it.

Full details of the Renault simulator planning application can be found here.

Boullier has also said his team is on the verge of extending its engine partnership with Renault, despite having been linked with Cosworth earlier this year.

"We are very close, but I cannot tell you more," he said. "We have a historical relationship, we have a close technical relationship and there is [oil sponsor] Total mixed in the middle of this, so there are some commercial reasons why we should stick with Renault."

When asked about the Cosworth situation, Boullier said: "You always have to have a B-plan and a C-plan, and yes we have been approached by Cosworth, because they have lost customers. They are talking to everyone in the pitlane I guess, or nearly everybody, but there are no plans so far."

Boullier also suggested that a KERS technology share plan being put together between all the Renault-powered teams was dependent on his outfit.

"We own some of the IP on the KERS because we have designed it. The know-how is in Enstone, and we are discussing transferring it all together to make the best overall unit."

Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)