2008 World Series by Renault season

The 2008 World Series by Renault season began on April 26 in Monza, Italy and is due to finish on October 19 in Barcelona, Spain after 17 races.

Regulation Changes

Technical

After a three-year cycle, the current World Series chassis will be replaced by a brand new car built by Italian racecar constructor Dallara. The new car will feature flex-fuel technology and can be powered by either premium unleaded petrol or E85 bioethanol, which is a first for this level of motorsport in Europe. The Renault V6 engine, prepared by French company Solution F, will also see its power increased from 425 to 500 horsepower.

The car will also feature a new carbon bodyshell, as well as a new shaped front wing, hollowed sidepods and multiple side deflectors designed to improve aerodynamic performance. However, several areas of the car, including the gearbox, rear suspension and carbon brakes, will remain the same in order to keep costs under control. [cite news | url = http://www.renault-sport.com/en/world_series/formulaV6/news.php?news=55275.html | title = New Formula Renault 3.5 in 2008 | publisher = renault-sport.com | date = 2007-07-12 | accessdate = 2007-11-08]

The new car made its first public appearance on September 21 at the Magny-Cours round of the 2007 season, [cite news | url = http://www.italiaracing.net/notizia.asp?id=16434&cat=5 | title = PREVIEWNew WSR car revealed | publisher = italiaracing.net | date = 2007-09-21 | accessdate = 2007-10-03] with development driver Andy Soucek demonstrating the car at the final round of the series in Barcelona.'08 World Series car hits track. "Autosport Magazine", Vol. 190, No. 5, pp. 13, Haymarket Publications. November 1 2007.]

porting

In a change from recent years, only 26 cars (thirteen two-car teams) will be allowed into the 2008 championship. The World Series by Renault organising committee announced twelve of the thirteen teams on October 5, 2007, [cite news | url = http://www.renault-sport.com/en/world_series/formulaV6/news.php?news=63806.html | title = Twelve of the thirteen teams pre-selected | publisher = renault-sport.com | date = 2007-10-05 | accessdate = 2007-10-16] with newcomers Ultimate Signature confirmed as the final entrant on October 12, 2007. [cite news | url = http://www.renault-sport.com/en/world_series/formulaV6/news.php?news=64030.html | title = Ultimate Signature completes list of pre-selected teams | publisher = renault-sport.com | date = 2007-10-15 | accessdate = 2007-10-16]

The thirteen teams confirmed for the 2008 season are:

* Carlin Motorsport
* Comtec Racing
* Epsilon Euskadi
* Fortec Motorsport
* KTR
* International Draco Racing
* Interwetten.com Racing
* P1 Motorsport
* Pons Racing
* Prema Powerteam
* RC Motorsport
* Tech 1 Racing
* Ultimate Signature

The 2008 season will also see the introduction of a new qualifying system to the World Series. [cite news | url = http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63835 | title = Qualifying changes get mixed reaction | publisher = autosport.com | date = 2007-11-07 | accessdate = 2007-11-08]

* The 26 cars will be split into two equal groups, with each having a 20-minute session
* The Top 6 drivers in each group (12 in total) will go forward to a 15-minute 'Super Pole' session
* The grid for Race one is decided by reversing the finishing order of the Top 8 drivers in Super Pole. They are followed by the last four in Super Pole (in finishing order) and the remaining 14 drivers in the order they finished qualifying
* For Race two, the Top 8 drivers from Super Pole line up in the order they finished the session, with the rest of the field decided by the finishing order of Race one

Pre-Season Testing Results

† Monza 1000km support event

‡ Monaco Grand Prix support race

Points System

Points are awarded at the end of each race according to the following system:

* Polesitter for feature race in bold
* Driver who retired but was classified in "italics"

Teams

References

External links