DECEMBER 27, 2001

Renault helps balloon team

THE Renault Sport Formula 1 team has lent its facilities to British hot air ballooning duo Andy Elson and Colin Prescott, who are aiming to set a new altitude record.

The balloon itself has been designed to reach 40,000 meters with the use of the Computer Aided Design equipment on which the Renault team cars (nee Benetton), have gestated in recent years, while the pilots themselves have begun a program of physical training with the team's Human Performance Center.