Renault R23
Renault R23B
Fernando Alonso with the R23B at the 2003 British Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorRenault
Designer(s)Pat Symonds (Executive Engineer)
Mike Gascoyne (Technical Director)
Bob Bell (Deputy Technical Director)
Tim Densham (Chief Designer)
Mark Smith (Project Leader)
Tad Czapski (Head of R&D)
John Iley (Head of Aerodynamics)
Bernard Dudot (Engine Technical Director)
PredecessorR202
SuccessorR24
Technical specifications
ChassisMoulded carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque
Suspension (front)Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones operate an inboard titanium rocker via a pushrod system
Suspension (rear)Titanium top and carbon fibre bottom wishbones operating vertically mounted torsion bars and horizontally-mounted damper units mounted on the top of the gearbox casing
Length4,600 mm (181 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height950 mm (37 in)
Axle track1,450 mm (57 in) on front; 1,400 mm (55 in) on rear
Wheelbase3,100 mm (122 in)
EngineRenault RS23 3.0 L (183 cu in) V10 111° naturally-aspirated, mid engined, longitudinally-mounted
TransmissionTitanium longitudinal, semi-automatic sequential paddle shift, 6-speed + 1 reverse
Power830–850 hp (619–634 kW) @ 17,800 rpm[1][2]
Weight600 kg (1,323 lb) including driver and fuel
FuelElf
TyresMichelin
Competition history
Notable entrantsMild Seven Renault F1 Team
Notable drivers7. Italy Jarno Trulli
8. Spain Fernando Alonso
Debut2003 Australian Grand Prix
First win2003 Hungarian Grand Prix
Last win2003 Hungarian Grand Prix
Last event2003 Japanese Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
161521
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Renault R23 was the car with which the Renault team competed in the 2003 Formula One World Championship. It was driven by Italian Jarno Trulli, who was in his second season with the team, and Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who replaced Jenson Button after the Briton left for British American Racing.

Design and development

The chassis was designed by Mike Gascoyne, Bob Bell, Tim Densham and John Iley with Pat Symonds overseeing the design and production of the car as executive director of Engineering and Jean-Jacques His leading the engine design.

Renault was innovative during this period producing non-standard designs such as the 111° 10-cylinder engine for the 2003 RS23 which was designed to effectively lower the center of gravity of the engine and thus improve the car's handling. This eventually proved too unreliable and heavy, so Renault returned to a 72 degree vee angle with the following year's R24.

R23B

A "B Specification" car named the Renault R23B made its debut at the British Grand Prix and used for the remainder of the 2003 season.

Racing history

The Renault R23 was launched at an official ceremony in Lucerne, Switzerland in January, 2003.[3] At this initial launch, it was confirmed sponsor Mild Seven would be continuing to be the primary sponsor of the team.[4] Just days later, the Renault team re-launched the car at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France. The double launch was caused by Renault promising a branded car launch for sponsor Mild Seven, something that would be illegal in France.[5] Both Trulli and Alonso completed laps of the circuit in the car at Paul Ricard to begin the new season for the team.[6][7] The team had an extensive pre season test program, including former Toyota driver turned Renault reserve driver Allan McNish. Following the pre-season, the technical team including Pat Symonds were satisfied with the progress from 2002.[8][9]

The season started well, with both drivers scoring points at the 2003 Australian Grand Prix. Alonso taking advantage of the new points system, allowing him to secure two points for seventh place.[10] At the following race in Malaysia, Fernando Alonso secured pole position. Alonso was both the youngest driver and first Spaniard to take a pole position in F1 at the time.[11] In the race, Alonso would finish in third taking his first podium in Formula One.[12][13]

Fernando Alonso won Renault's first Grand Prix as a full constructor since 1983

At the third race of the season in Brazil, Alonso would once again take third place. However, the chaotic Grand Prix saw him secure this following a major accident with debris from an earlier crash caused by Mark Webber in the Jaguar.[14] Whilst Trulli's form in the R23 began to falter, Alonso continued to impress scoring points on a regular basis and a career best second place at his home race, the 2003 Spanish Grand Prix.[15] Following a double retirement at the 2003 French Grand Prix, Renault introduced the R23B spec car for the British Grand Prix, an aerodynamic upgrade from the original R23.[16] It took Jarno Trulli to a third place podium just weeks later in Germany.[17]

The 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix would be a momentous one for the team. Fernando Alonso won the race, becoming the youngest driver since Bruce McLaren to do 44 years prior. In addition to being the first Spanish driver to win a race in history, Alonso also delivered the teams first victory since Alain Prost at the 1983 Austrian Grand Prix as a full constructor and the 1997 Luxembourg Grand Prix as an engine supplier.[18]

The final three races of the season saw Alonso score one point and two retirements, while team mate Trulli took the R23B to another two points scoring finishes.

The R23 and R23B steered Renault to a fourth place finish in the Constructors' Championship with 88 points.[19]

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position, results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
2003 Renault R23 RS23 3.0 V10 M AUS MAL BRA SMR ESP AUT MON CAN EUR FRA GBR GER HUN ITA USA JPN 88 4th
Italy Jarno Trulli 5 5 8 13 Ret 8 6 Ret Ret Ret
Spain Fernando Alonso 7 3 3 6 2 Ret 5 4 4 Ret
R23B Italy Jarno Trulli 6 3 7 Ret 4 5
Spain Fernando Alonso Ret 4 1 8 Ret Ret

References

  1. ↑ "Engine Renault". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "Bore and stroke on early 2000,s V10 engines - F1technical.net".
  3. ↑ "Renault R23 launched in Lucerne". Motorsport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  4. ↑ "Renault and Mild Seven renew partnership". Motorsport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  5. ↑ "Renault Re-Launch R23 at Paul Ricard". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  6. ↑ "2003 Renault Launch". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  7. ↑ "Renault launch part II - Paul Ricard". Motorsport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "McNish: I will be at forefront of testing new R23". crash.net. 26 January 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  9. ↑ "Renault pre-season testing update". Motorsport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  10. ↑ "Australian GP 2003 - Errors hand DC Oz win". crash.net. 9 March 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "Renault's Alonso makes history in Malaysia". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  12. ↑ "2. MALAYSIA 2003". Stats F1. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  13. ↑ "The 2003 Malaysian GP Review". Atlas F1. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  14. ↑ "Alonso speaks about Brazil crash". Motorsport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  15. ↑ "Spanish GP 2003 - Schumacher wins, Alonso stars". crash.net. 4 May 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  16. ↑ "Renault R23B". F1 Technical. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  17. ↑ "2003 German GP Sunday". Autosport. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  18. ↑ "Hungarian GP 2003 - Alonso sweeps the field". crash.net. 24 August 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  19. ↑ "2003 Constructor Standings". F1. Retrieved 25 March 2022.


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