FORMULA 1 launches have become a fairly standard affair, but Renault Sport Formula One Team has done something a little different, well actually very different, in revealing its definitive livery for the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship.
The team debuted its distinctive yellow-gold and black colours in an event hosted in Docklands, Melbourne, in a highly unique way. The R.S.16 was first seen by the guests as it literally surfed the waves at Boat Harbour Park beach just outside Sydney !
Renault Sport Formula One Team drivers Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer plus Australian pro surfer Ellie-Jean Coffey undertook the shoot on Monday before the Australian Grand Prix.
The car – a show car for those concerned about whether it will dry out in time for Sunday’s race – was fixed to the 7.5m long board using bespoke harnesses. It was then towed out into the Pacific Ocean where it was unleashed to catch its first-ever waves.
“We’re in F1 to ultimately get lots of points on track, but also to get lots of attention off track, so we came up with this idea,” Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director of Renault Sport Racing said. “To our knowledge it’s the first time an F1 car has ever surfed!”
The colour scheme, which matches sponsor Sirius and Renault Sport reflects the first-ever Renault F1 car, the RS01, which hit the track in yellow and black in 1977 and this latest livery is a nod to that formidable car.
To create a more tangible link between Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing, the team also used colours to showcase the matt white available on the Renault Clio R.S Trophy.
The F1 car also features metallic colours that will reflect the lights at the night races, the ‘diamond’ pattern at the rear of the car fits in with the team’s new brand identity and the gold flashes are said to signify their aim for the top.
