Renault to Debut New Traction Control at Nurburgring

The Renault Formula One team will introduce a new traction control system at this weekend's European Grand Prix, the ninth round of the 2002 Championship, which they hope will help them move forward.

"We're still pushing forward with our aero programme, and are now in a position to race the new traction control, which should be an advantage given the circuit modifications," said technical director Mike Gascoyne.

"Once again we must look to qualify both cars inside the top ten and consolidate our overall position behind the top three teams."

Traction control is expected to play an important role at the revised Nurburgring circuit, where there's a new slow and twisty section after the main straight.

"It's a tricky, high-downforce circuit that includes an interesting mix of corners," added executive director of engineering Pat Symonds. "We have three relatively quick third-gear corners, two of which are critical to lap time, and the car needs to be well balanced to cope with these.

"At the same time we have a slow chicane and, with the changes, four very slow corners replacing the previous two, which will put an extra premium on traction. We expect that the changes will add approximately 15 seconds onto our lap times."

Renault, currently in fourth place in the Constructors' Championship with 12 points, have finished in the top six in the last two races thanks to Italian Jarno Trulli, who is hoping his past experience of the German circuit will help him this weekend.

"I think experience can be a real advantage here," said Trulli. "I know the circuit well, and I am used to reading the changing conditions. The time I spent in the junior formulae definitely helped me back in 1999.

"I don't think the circuit itself is anything special - it's pretty uninspiring really. There are no real opportunities for the driver to make big gains in lap time, so I will be concentrating on building up a good rhythm in order to perform competitively."