Renault Sport Technologies and Michelin share the same vision of competition as a test bed for innovative technologies to approach those available to the general public. It is in this same context that the two partners envisioned the possibility of using 18-inch tyres on the Formula Renault 3.5 cars and 17-inch on the Formula Renault 2.0s as of next season.

Because of the excellent results obtained during the test sessions, Renault Sport Technologies and Michelin continued their development programme and have concluded that the 18 and 17-inch tyres offer an excellent solution for the drivers and teams.

Characterized as more agreeable for the drivers, these tyres feature a lower sidewall enables driving with fewer yaw motions, more precision and better reactivity in the steering wheel. This evolution also represents a leap forward for technology transfer opportunities towards production tyres.

To remain as the leader in driver development programmes toward F1, Renault Sport Technologies closely studies the evolutions of motor racing’s most important championship. The decision to introduce the tyres in the World Series by Renault will be taken at the end of the development programme, while also observing the decision of Formula 1 about this subject.

Jean-Pascal Dauce, Competition Director Renault Sport Technologies : “The championships organized by Renault Sport technologies provide the best preparation for young F1 hopefuls. Thanks to the work put in by Michelin, if the elite decide to change the dimensions of their tyres, the World Series by Renault will be ready to confirm its status as the leading driver development programme. We are all particularly fond of innovations !”

Philippe Mussati, Director of Customer Competition at Michelin Motorsport : “Technically and sportingly, the 18 and 17-inch tyres are meaningful. These tests concluded that the driving is more precise with more set-up possibilities for the teams. These new dimensions represent the future of single-seater competition. The prospect that Michelin, along with long-time partner Renault Sport, can breathe new air into the open-wheel community represents additional satisfaction for us.”