Lacklustre performances on the track, a race fixing scandal off it, a two year suspended ban and key personnel forced from the team constituted to a bad 2009 for the Renault team. Yet with the 2010 season due to kick off in a few days, Renault are looking optimistically on what they hope to be a successful year.

The season sees an all new driver line-up as with the departure of Fernando Alonso to Ferrari, Renault have enlisted the services of Poland’s Robert Kubica. Last year saw a slump in form for the Pole, 2nd place in Brazil the highlight of the year, but Kubica will be hoping that he can revive the Renault team into race winners once again.

Kubica’s teammate for the year will be Russian rookie Vitaly Petrov who, when he makes his debut in Bahrain, will be the first Russian ever to race in Formula One.

“For me it has been a completely new experience and a steep learning curve. Everyone has been really helpful and I’ve settled in very quickly, but I know there is still a lot to learn”.

As well as a new driver line-up Eric Boullier now heads the team and is looking forward to the season and challenges ahead after a promising winter testing. Kubica remains optimistic going into the season despite admitting to being behind the likes of Ferrari, Mclaren and Red Bull.

“We will try to be in the position to fight for the top, but I think it could be difficult to achieve, especially at the beginning of the year,” Kubica told autosport.

Join me and Victoria on Formula1FanCast.com’s Fantasy League Formula 1 2010. Our league is called Formula1Fancast.com and the league pin is 722. Try and beat us if you can, but be warned we’re good!

Related posts: