The 2004 Renault R24
Renault’s challenger for the 2004 Formula 1 season came in the form of the R24; a significantly more potent package than the preceding R23 and later R23B that delivered the Enstone-based team 4th place in the 2003 World Constructors’ Championship. The most significant changes, when compared to the R23B, were centered around the rear of the car and were courtesy of the adoption of a 72-degree V-10 engine, in place of the 111-degree V-10 power-plant that had gone before. The tighter “V” angle permitted far more sculpted packaging of the side-pods and engine cover, dramatically improving the aerodynamic performance at the back of the car. The engine itself was also substantially stiffer than its predecessor, which in turn also improved the mechanical grip generated by the rear of the car.
The results for the R24 spoke for themselves, with Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli working towards 3nd place in the 2004 Constructors Championship for Renault. Trulli secured an outright win at Monaco, while he and Alonso shared six podium finishes and three pole positions throughout the season. The design of the car shaped the design of the R25, which went on to deliver both the World Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship titles the following year.
This particular chassis is R24-07, which was campaigned by Alonso in the final three races of the season in China, Japan and Brazil, where he placed 4th, 5th and 4th respectively.
Beautiful photography by Tom Gidden ©2021 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's