NEWS // FORMULA RENAULT UK

Next year will see Renault Sport UK launch for the first time since 2000 a new car to the various European Formula Renault 2.0 category's.  The new car replaces the current Tatuus built chassis which has become the world's best selling single-seater with close to 1,000 sales worldwide.
 
Featuring a new chassis, seven speed sequential gearbox and a 2.0-litre, 16v normally aspirated F4R832 engine derived from the Clio Renault Sport phase 11, the new car is already in production at the Renault Sport factory in Dieppe, France. The wraps first came off the new car earlier this year at its on-track debut at Magny-Cours in France.  Portugese A1GP driver Filipe Albuquerque was among the drivers selected to give valuable input towards the extensive initial testing programme. Renault expect this next generation of car to continue to be a great stepping stone for both drivers and engineers aspiring to reach Formula One... [read more]

CTD contributor Neil Tozer has recently had the pleasure in talking to his local Formula Renault UK driver Dean Stoneman (below) who finished 4th in this years Michelin sponsored Championship.
 
The 19 year old who in 2008 was nominated for the Mclaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award had a very consistent season in the fiercely competitive single seater series scoring eight podium finishes including a win at Snetterton in Norfolk. After twenty races around the UK, Dean driving for Alpine Motorsport narrowly missed out on third place in the championship which went to Chesire's Oli Webb by a single point.

Dean told us "I feel that this year has been a little disappointing and that I have not been quite as succsessful as last year". "It has been a very up and down year, with success in some areas and some hard luck in others".  On next season he said "My plans are to move into F3 and along side my management team we are currently in talks with various F3 teams". He added  "A decision will be made once we have secured
a sponsorship deal, therefore, we are leaving our options open at the moment".
 
Commenting on where he would like to compete in F3 Dean told us "A decision has yet to be made on where I will race next season either the UK or possibly go into Europe".
 
Looking to the future he said  "I am looking forward and excited for next season with the challenge of moving up to F3 and building a relationship with a new team."
 
The 2009 UK series which ended at Brands Hatch two weeks ago saw Wolverhampton's Dean Smith (Below) take the title in his 3rd year of UK Formula Renault competition. Smith who was the Formula BMW UK champion in 2005 competed in Europe last year in the Formula Renault Eurocup.


Photo: Renault Sport and Neil Tozer
Editorial: Neil Tozer