Just like the previous seasons, the Renault F1 Team treated this year as another year for success. Following the gained championship titles on the field, they still expect for more challenges on the race track.
However, they still have difficulties in dealing with Bridgestone control tires as they encountered several technical problems. The team has exerted so much effort on meeting the required performance on the race track.
Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen, both team’s drivers, have collaborated to instigate the process. And the efforts were paid enough for they were able to make significant improvements on the vehicles all throughout the season.
Heikki Kovalainen scored well on the battle in Japan while Giancarlo Fisichella was hailed as the strongest racer to finish the assured fourth place in Monaco.
The managing director Flavio Briatore commented, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Giancarlo and Heikki for their hard work throughout a long and difficult year. We expected to have a car capable of winning races, but that didn’t prove the case. Rather than let their heads drop, both drivers worked even harder to turn the situation around.”
"Giancarlo’s experience was a crucial factor in helping us improve our performance, and he leaves the team after making a vital contribution to our two championship years in 2005 and 2006. We thank him for making these special moments possible for the team, and wish him well for the future,” he added.
"Heikki’s rookie season included some challenges, but he coped with all of them and came out a better and stronger driver. He has shown everybody in F1 that he is a fast, intelligent and engaging driver, who is definitely capable of winning races in the future. We are proud to have given him his start in Formula 1, and wish him the very best for what is sure to be an outstanding career," the team’s managing director concluded.