JUNE 29, 2012

Renault to modify alternators after Valencia failures

Having examined data following the alternator failures suffered by both Sebastian Vettel and Romain Grosjean in the European GP at Valencia, Renault Sport does not believe that overheating due to lack of cooling caused by slow running behind the Safety Car was the root cause and will be making modifications for Silverstone.

Having examined data following the alternator failures suffered by both Sebastian Vettel and Romain Grosjean in the European GP at Valencia, Renault Sport does not believe that overheating due to lack of cooling caused by slow running behind the Safety Car was the root cause and will be making modifications for Silverstone.

The Renault analysis has shown that there was evidence of the alternator on Vettel's Red Bull overheating prior to the Safety Car period and the failure on Grosjean's, after a number of laps at full racing speed following the Safety Car's disappearance, is not consistent with the initial theories either.

A different supply batch will be used for the British GP. Renault Sport's Rob White said: "We are looking at returning to an older specification of alternator from 2011 and will introduce some mechanical and cooling solutions."