20 October 2013
A day in the garage
The first to arrive and the last to leave, the scrutineers are the people who ensure that the standards of fair play championed by Renault Sport, which is so often held up as an example in the world of motorsport, are adhered to. To find out more about that they do, we paid a visit to garages 2, 3, 4 and 5 at the entrance to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya pit lane.
The procedure is the same for each of WSR’s four categories. Preparations are made the day before every race, with the Renault Sport’s scrutineers drawing up an inspection request and presenting it to the race stewards, the aim being to schedule checks in advance and seek approval for them without ever singling out a specific competitor.
Cars are selected for checks during each qualification session. “You could describe it as organised chance,” said Laurent Blanchoud, who is responsible for conducting technical checks in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. “For today’s qualifying we made plans to check three cars in each group. We looked at the times and before the end of the session we called out the numbers in question. Generally speaking we select cars from among the leading bunch as well as others further down the field.”
When the numbers are announced the cars are stopped at the entrance to the pits: “Before anyone can touch the car we weigh it on its own and then the driver,” added Blanchoud. “If the total weight exceeds 580 kg (the minimum weight limit for the Formula Renault 2.0), we let the driver go and start on the checks.”
To ensure that there is no confusion or misunderstanding, two mechanics from the team running the car are then appointed to carry out the checks: “There is a very strict procedure,” he explained. “We never touch the car. Every piece must be dismantled by a member of the team. Only the engine can be touched by one of our engine inspectors.”
One team that has stood apart in this 2013 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 season is Manor MP Motorsport, who sometimes ask their driver Oliver Rowland to take care of his car himself. A member of the Racing Steps Foundation, the British driver juggles his studies with his day job with his team, and at the Red Bull Ring he personally supervised the dismantling of his car.
Since the start of the season not one decision has gone against any of the drivers, as Blanchoud explained. “Our last report requesting that a driver be demoted goes back to last season, and even then it was more of a case of absent-mindedness than an attempt to cheat. We work with serious-minded teams who follow the rules to the letter of the law. They know that Renault Sport is there to support them if the need arises.”
