By Renault F1
November 13 2006

Renault F1 Team R26 Technical Specifications

 

 

Chassis
Moulded carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque, manufactured
by the Renault F1 Team and designed for maximum strength and stiffness with minimum
weight. Engine installed as a fully-stressed member.

Front suspension
Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones operate an inboard rocker via a pushrod system.

This is connected to a torsion bar and damper units which are mounted at the front of the monocoque

Rear suspension
Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones operating vertically-mounted torsion bars and
horizontally-mounted damper units mounted on the top of the gearbox casing.

 

Transmission
Seven-speed semi-automatic titanium gearbox with one reverse gear.
Fuel system Kevlar-reinforced rubber fuel cell by ATL.

Cooling system
Separate oil and water radiators located in the car's sidepods and cooled using airflow from the car's forward motion

Electrical
Integrated Step 11 chassis/engine electronics and software co-developed by Renault F1 Team and Magneti Marelli.

Braking system
Carbon discs and pads (Hitco); calipers by AP Racing

Cockpit
Removable driver’s seat made of anatomically formed carbon composite, with six-point
harness seat belt. Steering wheel integrates gear change and clutch paddles.

Car dimensions and weight
Front track 1450 mm
Rear track 1400 mm
Wheelbase 3100 mm
Overall length 4800 mm
Overall height 950 mm
Overall width 1800 mm
Overall weight 605 kg, with driver, camera and ballast.

 

Principal Modifications
The chassis technical regulations have remained stable between the 2005 and 2006
seasons. Consequently, the focus for the team has been on maintaining an aggressive
development path through the winter, while exploiting the packaging gains of the smaller

V8 engine and improving the weight and stiffness of every part of the car.

- The R26 features an entirely new aerodynamic package, developed in line with
the 2006 technical regulations. For the first race of the 2006 season, there will be
no carryover items from last year’s car.
- The RS26 V8 is a smaller unit than the previous generation of V10 engines and
develops less power. The reduced power levels mean the engine produces less
heat – and therefore requires less cooling. As such, the team is able to run
smaller radiators, which allows packaging gains to be made. These are reflected
in the compact packaging of the sidepods.
- The 90° angle of the V8 engine means the unit is wider than the V10 used last
year. This has led the team to revise the layout of ancillary systems, in order to
maintain a compact rear-end, an important area for aerodynamic performance.
- The R26 uses a seven-speed titanium gearbox for the first time, instead of the 6-
speed unit employed until 2005. The V8 engines develop less torque than the
V10, and as such, a seven-speed gearbox allows the team to exploit the engine’s
characteristics in an optimum fashion.
- Mechanically, the R26 maintains the configuration used by its predecessor, in
order to ensure the car retains the dynamic qualities praised by the drivers. This
includes the ‘v-keel’ front suspension mounting, which offers a competitive
compromise between structural stiffness and aerodynamic performance.