Renault Bid Farewell to the V10 Era
Along with the departing of Peter Sauber, who sold his team to BMW, and Paul Stoddart, who sold Minardi to Red Bull, the Chinese Grand Prix will mark an end to another era, and Renault are expecting an emotional farewell to the V10 engine
Rule changes next season will see teams run on V8 engines - a first for the French company, who has been in Formula One as a constructor or an engine provider since 1977 - initially running the V6 turbo, and then returning to the sport, 17 years ago, with the V10.
The Renault V10 engine was the most successful since its debut in 1989: it powered six Drivers' Championships and six Constructors' Championship - possibly seven, if Renault win this year's title as well.
"I think it will be an emotional moment when we are on the grid, or hearing it cross the finish line for the final time," said Denis Chevrier, Renault's engine operations manager. "It will be the end of an era.
"The noise of the V8 is very different, and it means our daily routine of fire-ups, hearing the engine in the garage, will change quite significantly.
"At Renault, we have been listening to V10 engines for 17 seasons now, and it will be a very different experience next year..."
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| Series | Formula 1 |
| Teams | Renault F1 Team |
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