Renault R26 ready to rumble

The new Renault R26 was unveiled during the Renault F1 Launch at the Grimaldi Forum on Tuesday in Monte Carlo, Monaco

Renault's new R26 car has been designed so closely around the new V8 engine that the team did not bother to put a V8 in the back of last year's car in the pre-Christmas testing.

The team's technical director Bob Bell claims the car represents an aggressive evolution of the championship-winning design philosophy from 2005. 

"We have worked on improving the car in every area," Bell said. "We have integrated the challenges posed by the new V8 engine, and continued on our performance development path. The most striking visual difference comes in the smaller sidepods on the car, but the entire aerodynamic package is new."

The new car also has a 7-speed gearbox, to best exploit the power and torque characteristics of the new engine.

"Of course, we have also worked to maintain the positive handling characteristics that made the car easy to drive last year. The R26 is an aggressive statement from the team, and it says that we mean to stay on top in 2006," Bell said.

The R26 ran for the first time in Jerez, Spain on 10 January, and has since completed over 2700 km by both race drivers-- Giancarlo Fisichella (left) and world champion Fernando Alonso.

Alonso stunned Formula One last month when McLaren, last season's runners-up, announced he would be joining them in a year's time. The Spaniard confirmed on Tuesday it was a three-year deal.

Renault have been dogged by speculation about their commitment to the sport, with rumours last year that they could even pull out at the end of 2006.

Renault president Carlos Ghosn made clear on Tuesday however that the French carmaker would stay beyond 2007 if Renault remain competitive and there is a good return on investments.

Renault team president Patrick Faure said Alonso had made his own decision.

Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images