Is this how the Renault R29 was supposed to look?

Posted on

| Written by

Renault launched its R29 F1 car for 2009 today to more howls of revulsion about what they’ve done with their livery.

But Renault’s bizarre front nose arrangement also drew some concerned glances. Its bulbous shape and low-hanging vertical strips look unwieldy compared to most of its rivals.

In the comments thread Luke and PrateekF1 unearthed an interesting picture on Renault’s F1 site which seems to show a different version of the R29. The new colour scheme is present and correct and it appears to be in 2009 specification. But the front wing is a much simpler affair:

Renault R29 - the original design?

For comparison, here’s the front wing on the R29 as launched:

Renault R29 - 2009 F1 car (click to enlarge)

Last week we learned the R29 had failed at least one FIA crash test. Perhaps the failure occurred at the front of the car and the unsightly wing arrangement can be put down to a hasty nose job to get the car ready for launch? Alternatively, F1 Technical has this explanation for how the wing works. What do you think?

More reaction to the R29 here: Renault R29 revealed in Portugal – pictures (2009 F1 car launches)

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

Got a potential story, tip or enquiry? Find out more about RaceFans and contact us here.

18 comments on “Is this how the Renault R29 was supposed to look?”

  1. Kester
    19th January 2009, 19:06

    All I know is that it’s one of the worst looking Formula 1 cars I’ve seen in a while, and I quite like the 2009 spec cars.

    However, looks don’t translate to results.

  2. Lustigson
    19th January 2009, 19:42

    I’d like to think this is some sort of mock-up nose cone, and the proper design will be on the car come Melbourne.

  3. yosu
    19th January 2009, 19:44

    Brought memories of the Forti Ford etc…

  4. Bob
    19th January 2009, 19:55

    Hurrah, a shark fin!

  5. Fred Schechter
    19th January 2009, 20:16

    Can’t comment, right now,, cleaning up sick.
    yes Yosu,, I see the Forti Ford in there too (didn’t like that one either).

    These are colors that should be able to look good together, warm tones, why not visit McLaren and just ask their airbrush guys to attach the Renault, but just replace silver with white, yellow, orange, and total red.
    They clearly have no compunction about garishly bright color application (though I do enjoy the McLaren Blaze red/orange with the cool silver and black).

    As for the nose,, here’s hoping it thins down once they properly sort their crash test issues,, go test, wheedle it down, it’ll be fine,,,

  6. Smitty
    19th January 2009, 20:27

    The design of the car on the computer render may have been an earlier design or just plainly a mock-up of the new car with the new livery. The Renault had failed its side and rear tests the first time around – the front test was passed. I can’t give you a source to where I found this, but it was reliable.

  7. Chaz
    19th January 2009, 20:38

    A bulbous nose to shunt everybody out of the way perhaps…

  8. Wesley
    19th January 2009, 20:51

    Maybe there is a James Bond type gun hidden in that HUGE nose.(Q would be proud)

  9. Robert McKay
    19th January 2009, 21:23

    Maybe Renault are putting bits on the car they aren’t planning on running and saving the real stuff for Melbourne.

  10. Tim
    19th January 2009, 21:38

    Look at the rear bodywork on the graphic – it isn’t nearly so bulbous as the real R29. I reckon the picture was intended to show the new livery based on a 2008 car with 2009-spec wing proportions.

  11. Scott Joslin
    19th January 2009, 22:17

    Yuk!!!

    The new Renault looks like a Bath Tub covered in Bake Bean juice! Utterly shocking! That must be a mock up front end it looks completely under developed. I prefer the Renault in the unofficial picture. Gastly looking!

    1. Spud
      19th January 2009, 22:25

      Man that is some description!!!! :D

      But you’re right, it is terrible.

      The other cars seem nice and sleek looking but the renault looks awful!

  12. DG
    20th January 2009, 8:59

    Hmmmm, what have they hidden in that nose? :-)

  13. Tom
    20th January 2009, 9:19

    Renault have a proud tradition in colour schemes – the last good one was about 1983…

  14. Somers
    20th January 2009, 13:11

    Has anyone else noticed that Renault and Toyota are still running the shark fins but no one else is. I’m not too bothered by the look of the Renault at the end of the day its all down to performance over aesthetics.

  15. PJA
    20th January 2009, 13:11

    I don’t beleive the theories that Renault are saving their real nose for Melbourne. Surley such a big change would make the testing they do with a fake nose pointless?

  16. Stealthman
    21st January 2009, 13:26

    My eyes hurt. Ugh… If I keep staring at that livery, I’ll get a migraine. :(

  17. Tone
    2nd February 2009, 13:57

    What’s in that thing? Quite big enough to fit the KERS Batt?

Comments are closed.