Renault have tested their 2009 car again at Kemble airport near Enstone, following reports that the car is seriously underperforming. Spanish newspapers AS and Marca report that although the car only went for a straightforward straight-line test, the team unusually brought five transporter trucks worth of equipment with them.
The news comes after Pat Symonds admission last week that the Portimao test was unsatisfactory. The R29 was demonstrably slower than most of its competitors, but Symonds was bullish about the team s chances of improvement. Star driver Fernando Alonso told Marca that he is optimistic about the car s performance at the upcoming Jerez test next week.
Hopefully we can make some good progress with the performance of the car there,” said the two-time world champion.
The possibility of the Spaniard departing is a very real one if the car is not challenging for wins on a regular basis. Alonso s ability to develop and hone a car is well-known, however, and it is thought that his presence is the strongest incentive for the Anglo-French team.
