Formula One drivers aren’t born, they’re made. Sure, a select few enter life with otherworldly reflexes, a sixth sense for speed and the financial backing needed to make it to the top. But there’s a whole mess of steps they need to take before they can get there. And for many – take Sebastian Vettel and Robert Kubica as a couple of examples – one of those steps is the World Series by Renault. Now, after a long period of development, series organizers have released the new Formula Renault 3.5 that will serve as the training wheels for the next generation of grand prix pilots.
The new FR3.5 is built around a chassis developed with Dallara and packs a 530-horsepower V8 engine furnished by Zytek. Compared with the model it replaces, the latest single-seater is composed of 70 percent new parts, packs 50 more horsepower and is 15 kilos (33 pounds) lighter. As a result, testing showed it to be 2.6 seconds quicker around Spain’s Aragon circuit in Spain than the current model.
It also packs the latest carbon brakes, specially developed Michelin slicks and even a DRS variable rear wing like the one currently used in F1, all there to help aspiring drivers gain their footing on the run up to the big leagues. 26 new cars will be delivered to eager teams in January ahead of the first test session of the WSR season in March.
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