Renault optimistic of strong reliability

Renault were the only top Formula One team to wait until their new car was ready to test the new V8 engine for the first time. The decision seemed to pay off in testing, where there French car showed strong reliability in its early outings.

And with Renault having benefited last year from their superior reliability to clinch both titles, Densham believes arriving at the season-opening race with a reliable car is paramount.

"We anticipated that there would be a lot of small problems to solve in the opening weeks," said Densham ahead of the car's official launch in Monaco. "We know that reliability ahead of the first race is paramount, so we have been working hard on getting the right solutions in place quickly.

"But that was the advantage of getting the car to run very early in January, to ensure we are ready for the opening race of the season. Looking at how you manage the winter period, whether you run an interim car or not, there are no right answers.

"Every solution is a compromise, and ours was the best one for our circumstances."

Densham said the R26's design had not been influenced by Renault's intentions to defend their crowns.

"It hasn't affected the decisions we have made with the car," he added. "The real benefit is that we can work from a solid baseline.

"Rather than changing everything, we know the R25 was a good car, so we have focused on the areas that will help us improve: reviewing each component to make it better than its predecessors, in terms of weight and stiffness.

"The fact that the car is defending a World Championship doesn't change the maths we use to make those calculations."