Renault shines in the F1 arena

This year marks great significance for the Renault F1 motorsports division. They are supporting four F1 client teams in total, comprising of Red Bull Racing, Lotus, Williams and Caterham. Renault Sport is equipped with a 40-strong crew to support the different client teams. The challenge is to provide the best support to each team, yet maintaining and ensuring confidentiality among the different outfits.

The ever-changing rules in the championship also meant that teams have to come out with better adaptations to the circuits to have an edge in the intense competition. In the last season for instance, the Red Bull team made us of the exhaust gas to provide more down-force to the car, hence effectively improving drivability. Another innovation is the use of energy recovery mechanisms to improve efficiency of the F1 racers. Dubbed KERS for Kinetic Energy recovery System, the technology first started in 2009, and resurfaced this season. It is likely KERS together with direct injection technologies will save up to 35% in fuel consumption.

Romain Grosjean, Lotus F1 Team driver

Lotus F1 team driver, Romain Grosjean, was also present to grace the event. Having previously attempted the Marina Bay Circuit in 2009, this is the first time the French is contending as a full season driver. The 26-year old driver appears candid and confident at the launch. When asked about the greatest challenge for the local race, he cited the change in time zone. The warmer weather though, seems to be a plus point for him.

The street circuit poses a relatively different set of challenges. For instance, the number of low-speed sharp corners meant that the cars' torque response at low revs need to be at an optimum level. On his chances of claiming the podium this weekend, Grosjean said," It is important to stay positive - if we aren't positive about the race, the team would not be here in the first place."

While at it, the Frenchman also shared his thoughts on the new Megane RS265, "I like the car. I drive one of these when I am not racing on the circuit." He added, "I have also put it to tracks on a couple of occasions, as well as driving longer distances. The machine is just as sweet on the tracks as when cruising."

The young driver is currently eighth in the driver's standings with 76 points, just 7 points short of Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Nico Rosberg. His most outstanding performances for the season were at the Canadian Grand Prix where he came in second; and at the Bahrain and Hungarian Grand Prixs where he came in third.