The Canadian Grand Prix was not the best for the Renault team with one DNF and the other finished at P16.

Renault Sport Formula One Team contested a hard-fought Canadian Grand Prix with Kevin Magnussen finishing in sixteenth and Jolyon Palmer retiring due to a water leak. Kevin started from last position following Saturday’s liaison with the wall and ran to a one-stop strategy. 

Jolyon made a promising start however loss of water pressure meant the team had to retire the car with 16 laps completed.

Kevin started the race in P22 as one of only two runners starting on Pirelli’s yellow soft tyres. He changed to the purple ultrasoft tyres on lap 39.

Jolyon started the race in P16 on ultrasoft tyres. He retired from the race on lap 17 due to a water leak.

Kevin Magnussen, #20, R.S.16-01: Started P22, finished P16

“Firstly I need to say thanks to my crew who worked so hard to build a new chassis for this race after my crash Saturday. This aspect really shows the teamwork which exists in the team and I’m happy to be part of it as we will all keep pushing hard. On track we struggled and P16 is not where we wanted to be. It was a cold track out there and we just couldn’t get the performance we wanted. The race was pretty straightforward for me and sadly there weren’t the opportunities to move forward. We definitely want better next time out.”

Jolyon Palmer, #30, R.S.16-02: Started P16, finished DNF

“The new engine was working well performance-wise and we made a lot of progress on the set-up; I was feeling good with the car out there even though it was cold and slippery. I received some contact from Carlos Sainz on the first lap then I was stuck behind one of the Manors early on, but once I was in clean air my pace felt good. I’m happy with the car so I’m looking forward to Baku. Certainly a little bit of luck wouldn’t go amiss too.”

Fred Vasseur, Racing Director

“Another weekend where all the team have all worked hard and progress has been made however it is not represented in the results. Jolyon has been much happier with his car this weekend and had decent potential in the race. It’s a great shame we had to retire him so early and we are investigating the cause of the water pressure loss. Kevin had it all to do from the back of the grid so delivered solidly given the circumstances. The cold conditions in Canada certainly haven’t suited us. Baku will be far hotter so we’re hoping for a much needed change of fortunes.”

Renault gains it's first points haul at the Russian GP at Sochi, with both drivers finishing better than they started.

• Kevin started the race in P17 on new super soft Pirelli tyres, changing to a set of soft tyres on lap 16.
• Jolyon started the race in P18 on new super soft tyres, changing to fresh soft tyres on lap 14.

Kevin Magnussen, #20, R.S.16-02: Started P17, finished P7

“It feels really good to get these points for the team as I know how hard everyone’s been working this season. I made a great start, but then lost a couple of positions at the first corner because of a spin in front of me. After that I was pushing hard for the entire race, made some good overtakes and I had a great pit stop from the crew. We were a bit lucky today; we’ve been unlucky in the past so I’ve certainly no complaints!”

Jolyon Palmer, #30, R.S.16-01: Started P18, finished P13

“It’s great for the team to get our first points of the season and I’m pleased that we’re making genuine progress with the car. Kevin showed what is possible today so that’s a good target for the next races. Overall we’ve learnt a lot of positives this weekend so I feel there’s a lot to build on for the races ahead.”

Fred Vasseur, Racing Director

“After the Chinese Grand Prix everyone dug deep so to finish strongly in the top ten at a circuit where we didn’t expect to excel is a testament to the resolve of everyone in the team. Kevin drove a superb race and there was nothing more we could ask of him. Jolyon didn’t get quite the same opportunities in his race but drove well too. A big thank you to everyone at Enstone and Viry for their continued efforts.”

Renault Sport Formula One concluded the first batch of testing with some successful laps, and consistent driving.

Kevin Magnussen concluded the final day of the first pre-season test for Renault Sport Formula One Team by completing a bumper 153 laps of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Kevin set the day's fourth fastest time – at 1min 25.263secs – as well as completing the greatest amount of laps.

Fast Facts

Track: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain, 4.7km

Chassis: R.S.16 - 01

Weather: Cold and sunny. Ambient 7°C - 20°C Track 8°C - 28°C

Program: Aero logging, set-up work, full race simulation including pit stops.

Laps Completed: 153

Classification: 4, 1:25.263

Interruptions: Red flags, driver pit stop

What's Next?

Stripping and rebuilding of the R.S.16 ahead of next week's second test commencing on March 1. Kevin will be in action for the first two days; Jolyon for the second two.

Kevin Magnussen

"I certainly have had a workout over the last couple of days with over 260 laps completed! It feels so good to be back in an F1 car and working through the program and making strong progress. Our race simulation went well and I'm really gelling with the team. It's a real pleasure to be driving here, and I can't wait to get back in the car on Tuesday."

Fred Vasseur, Racing Director

"This has been a productive first test for us. The initial R.S.16 planning meetings took place at the end of September last year so it's clear that everyone at Enstone and Viry-Châtillon has made a tremendous effort to produce it and facilitate the performance we've seen today and this week. 

Jolyon and Kevin have demonstrated themselves to be an accomplished and hungry pair of drivers. With the mileage accumulated over the last two days we have a good baseline. We have a lot of work yet to do, but it's a solid start to the season."

Renault Sport Formula One Team within the Renault-Nissan Alliance in 2016

One of the core strengths of the Renault-Nissan Alliance is its capacity to create powerful industrial synergies in multiple areas such as R&D and production. From 2016 onwards, that approach will be mirrored in motorsport activities, with Alliance premium brand Infiniti joining Renault Sport Formula One Team as an active technical partner.

Infiniti enjoyed five years of successful sponsorship with Red Bull Racing, which was initiated through the Alliance partnership with the Anglo-Austrian team. Infiniti significantly increased its brand awareness over this period. With all targets met, Infiniti decided the time was right to take a step forward in the sport on a technical level.

Infiniti will use its expertise in hybrid technology and make a genuine contribution to the R.E.16 F1 Power Unit's Energy Recovery System (ERS), which incorporates two motor generator units, the MGU-H and MGU-K, and a battery.

The MGU-K (K for kinetic) is connected to the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. Under braking, the MGU-K operates as a generator, recovering some of the kinetic energy dissipated during braking. It converts this into electricity for a boost equivalent to 120 kW or 160 bhp that can be deployed throughout the lap.

Acting as a generator, the MGU-H (H for heat) absorbs power from the turbine shaft to convert heat energy from the exhaust gases. The electrical energy can be either directed to the MGU-K or to the battery for storage for later use.

Infiniti has an excellent reputation for performance hybrid vehicles. The hybrid system in the Q70 has been recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest hybrid over a quarter mile and the Infiniti Q50 uses the same system. This strong and valuable expertise will be put to good use by the team in Viry-Châtillon as a team of Infiniti hybrid specialists move from Japan to France in 2016 to support development.

The partnership is based on a solid five-year plan. Production car engineers will collaborate with F1 specialists, thus enabling the benefits to cross pollinate to Infiniti's road car portfolio.

In parallel, Infiniti markets will continue to have access to Formula 1 for marketing activities.

"During our five years of sponsorship with Red Bull Racing, we achieved all our targets in terms of brand awareness," said Tommaso Volpe, Infiniti Motorsport Global Director. "As an automotive company, the next step was to strengthen our credibility by becoming an active player within Formula 1. 

The creation of the Renault Sport Formula One Team with our Alliance partner Renault gives us an ideal opportunity to make this natural evolution from sponsor to technical partner. Infiniti will have a direct input to the Energy Recovery System in the Renault Sport Formula One Team. 

Our know-how will benefit the team on track, but we will also learn a great deal in the extreme environment of F1 that we will be able to transfer back to our road car portfolio. 

Our first target is to increase technical credibility supporting Renault Sport with our valuable expertise in hybrid technology, the second objective is to increase excitement and engagement for our customers, dealers and employees. 

The news has already been greeted with enormous enthusiasm within the company, which is critical in supporting our core business."

McLaren Honda looks towards the Spanish Grand Prix 2015.

Grand Prix Preview

Spain 2015

Facts & Stats: Circuit de Catalunya

The Circuit

The Circuit de Catalunya is the sixth Spanish venue to host a world championship Grand Prix, after Pebralbes, Montjuic Park, Valencia, Jarama and Jerez. It’s located in the northern industrial suburbs of Barcelona and has been a permanent fixture on the Formula 1 calendar since 1991.  However, it hasn’t always hosted motorised events; it was one of the many building projects ahead of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, during which the track hosted the time-trial cycling events. The circuit’s layout is a thorough test of man and machine. Only three of its 16 turns are taken at less than 100km/h (62mph); the remainder are all medium and high-speed corners, which test a car’s high-speed balance and aerodynamic efficiency. These challenges have made the circuit a popular testing venue over the years, the most recent tests taking place last February. Overtaking is notoriously difficult. Eighteen of the 24 Grands Prix staged at the Circuit de Catalunya have been won from pole position, which is the highest ratio of any track on the calendar – including Monaco. As a result, a good qualifying performance is key. A good start is also important because the run from pole position to the apex of Turn One is the longest of the season. A lot can be won and lost during this 730-metre dash and you often see drivers being very aggressive under braking for the first corner. This is a challenging circuit for tyres because the combination of old, abrasive asphalt and fast corners puts a lot of energy through the rubber, particularly the front left. To combat these stresses, Pirelli are taking their two hardest compounds to the race, the Medium (Option) and Hard (Prime).

Vital Statistics

Spanish Grand Prix 8th - 10th May Circuit de Catalunya

Race distance 66 laps Start time 14:00 (local)/13:00 (GMT) Circuit length 4.655km/2.892 miles 2014 winner Lewis Hamilton 2014 pole Lewis Hamilton 2014 Fastest lap Sebastian Vettel 1m28.918s 188.466km/h First race 1991 Don’t put the kettle on... Between laps 18-20 and 40-43. Last year's race was won using a two-stop strategy. The medium-compound tyre was the preferred race tyre, with most cars using the harder compound late in the race for a short dash to the flag Full throttle 63 per cent Fuel consumption 1.7kg per lap, making it fairly average in terms of fuel consumption Brakewear Medium. There are eight braking events, but only 13 per cent of the lap is spent braking and there are two long straights along which to cool the brakes Weather The long-term forecast looks good, with temperatures in the low-20s. The chance of rain is low DRS zones Two – the first on the approach to Turn One, the second on the approach to Turn 10 Top speed 330km/h on the approach to Turn One Safety Car likelihood Low. There have been five Safety Car periods since 2003 and four of those were for first-lap incidents

McLaren at the Spanish Grand Prix

Wins 8 (1975, ’76, ’88, ’89, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’05) Poles 8 (1976, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’98, ’99, ’05) Fastest laps 7 (1976, ’88, ’89, ’98, ’00, ’10, ’11)

Team Talk #14 Fernando Alonso Age 33 (July 29 1981) GPs 237 Wins 32 Poles 22 FLs 21

“I’m incredibly happy to be heading back to Europe, to my home country and racing in front of the loyal Spanish fans. We’ve taken some useful steps forward during the flyaway races and I’m looking forward to getting back in the car after the three-week break and continuing our push. “We are seeing improvements race by race, and I want to ensure that we maintain this consistency throughout this weekend.  It will be very difficult, as other teams will also have been working hard to develop their cars too, but I’m hopeful that the start of the European season will be positive for us and allow us to carry momentum into the next few races. “I really enjoy driving on this circuit – it’s high-speed and really tests the balance of the car, so we’ll be working to get that right as soon as we get out on track.  There’s a huge amount of positivity in the team and all of us are working hard for better results in each race. Although we won’t be fighting for victory in Barcelona, I know I can count on the support of the fans to bring even more motivation during the whole weekend, which will be very special.”

#22 Jenson Button Age 35 (January 19 1980) GPs 269 Wins 15 Poles 8 FLs 8

“Coming into Europe after four flyaways and a three-week break is always an exciting feeling. It’s like the second phase of the season is beginning and, especially after my difficult weekend in Bahrain, I’m raring to get back out there and see how our car fares around this track. “The Circuit de Catalunya is a great place to kick off the European season and a fun circuit to race on, with long straights, high-speed corners and tricky chicanes that require you to get the most out of the car throughout the whole lap.  It really challenges the car and you need good balance and aerodynamic downforce to get the best consistency, and, ultimately, performance. “It’s difficult to overtake there, so we’ll be working on our qualifying performance from the outset to try and push us up the pecking order.  We’ve made good strides over the past few races, and that effort has continued right through the break between Bahrain and Spain, so I’m excited to see where we are and work with my engineers to keep pushing the boundaries of our previous performances at every opportunity.  The key to all of this, though, is reliability, and that’s the most important element if we are to really push our package to its limits from Spain onwards.”

Eric Boullier Racing director, McLaren-Honda “We’re certainly going into the beginning of the European leg of the season with a positive frame of mind.  Of course, we can never be satisfied with our results until we’re fighting for regular victories. However, I’m very pleased with our progress and the efforts of the entire team – both within McLaren and Honda – and we go to Spain hopeful that we can make further progress there. “During the three-week break between Bahrain and Spain, we’ve been working very productively on every front to bring improvements to the car. We know that one fix or upgrade won’t provide a significant upturn in performance, so we’re united in our continued efforts to bring further gains to both chassis and power unit, in terms of both reliability and outright performance, step by step. “The Circuit de Catalunya is a great test of man and machine, and proving the balance of the MP4-30 will be crucial to enable us to get closer to our rivals. Qualifying is also key, given that this is a circuit on which it’s relatively difficult to overtake.  For our drivers, it’s an important race for Fernando in front of his home fans, and for Jenson we will be focusing on maximising his time on track following his disappointing weekend in Bahrain.  The paddock – complete with the addition of the teams’ motorhomes and hospitality units for the European season – will be buzzing, and we look forward to the great atmosphere in and around the grandstands.” Yasuhisa Arai Chief officer of motorsport, Honda R&D Co Ltd "The short break before the Spanish GP has been good for Honda, to calmly reflect on what has happened in the first four races, to analyse what we have done well or not so well, and to make preparations ahead of the European races. “We hope that Spain will see another incremental step forward for Honda, in which we’ve prepared updates on the power unit to help with driveability and reliability. And like us, McLaren has had a productive two weeks and will be bringing more updates to test at the track and we’ll see how the car will run together as one. “We’re confident that every step we take together as a team is in the right direction, and hopefully this weekend will once again prove our continuing progress."