Renault‘s return to Formula 1 this season has passed another checkpoint with the team confirming their 2016 car has passed the FIA‘s mandatory crash tests.
With Renault’s takeover of the former Lotus F1 team finally confirmed late December last year, the development and preparations for their 2016 car have seemingly not been delayed.
The Enstone team tweeted on Wednesday ‘Chassis homologation: DONE.’ announcing the crash tests were now passed and completed. With the announcement that Romain Grosjean will move to the new team Haas F1 for the 2016 season, Third and Reserve driver Jolyon Palmer was promoted to a race seat with Renault.
The team also announced that Pastor Maldonado will be staying for his third season with them for the 2016 season but this is in doubt with speculation that the Venezuelan’s sponsor, state-backed oil company PDVSA, has been late with their sponsorship payments.
ART Grand Prix team principal Frederic Vasseur is rumoured to be appointed by Renault as their racing director. With this being confirmed in a media event in Paris next month. Where Renault plans to confirm their new title, management team and drivers.
A car livery is also planned to be unveiled but there has been no confirmation to say if this will be on their 2016 chassis or a modified version of their 2015 car.
