F1-Live.com <STRONG> Renault Driver Development Program gets underway </STRONG>
At the team's Enstone base [04/02/02 - 03:11]
Renault F1's hopes of unearthing Formula One drivers of the future took a step forward on Wednesday and Thursday last week when five youngsters were put through a rigorous training session at the team's Enstone base as part of the Renault Driver Development program.
Poland's Robert Kubica, Frenchman Eric Salignon, Brazilian Fabio Carbone, Dutchman Carlo van Dam and <STRONG>Finn Heikki Kovalainen</STRONG> all joined Renault F1 Performance Manager Bernie Shrosbree and his team as they were introduced to the demands of Formula One. The five have been identified as high-potential drivers.
RDD is an exciting training course aimed at supporting and developing the potential of talented young drivers, and was conceived as one of the tools for the team's return to Formula One. Only a small number of drivers will be involved to ensure that they receive maximum attention.
Renault have defined a tailor-made development program for each individual driver across a range of motor racing activities, with the selection of the drivers not being confined to Renault-backed championships. The intention of the program is to offer 'off-track' training skills to the youngsters, such as interview techniques and foreign language tuition, before the most highly-regarded of the drivers are integrated into the Renault F1 program.
At the Renault F1 Performance Centre at Enstone on Wednesday morning, the drivers were put through a fitness session by Shrosbree and his team of sports scientists. They also undertook a technical language course in English, and received media training as part of the program, which is managed by Bruno Michel.
Kubica, 16, competed in Italian Formula Renault last year along with 21-year-old Carbone. Van Dam, 15, was involved in the International Formula A of karting in 2001, while 19-year-old Salignon was French Formula Renault champion. Kovalainen, 20, participated in the British Formula Renault Championship.