New Renault ready for first test

The French team have spent the early part of winter testing using last year's R25 fitted with a V10 engine, rather than opt for a hybrid car. They felt that it would be better to focus all their efforts on preparing their 2006 challenger.

That work has now been completed with Giancarlo Fisichella due to get the first laps of the new car at Jerez in Spain on January 10. The R26 will be the third 2006 car to run, with Toyota and Red Bull Racing already having tested their new machines.

Renault are hoping that the early running of the car will allow them to iron out any reliability issues prior to the start of the season - with them well aware that their 2005 title success owed much to the points advantage they were able to build up in the first races last year.

Pat Symonds, Renault's director of engineering, said: "Those early races really set the scene for the year. Each race may be worth ten points in absolute, terms, but that ignores the human component.

"The first win buoys the whole team, and confidence grows from there. The maths may say the early races have the same importance as any other, but in terms of the team's self-esteem, I would say they are worth half as much again."   

Renault are due to launch their car in Monaco on January 31.