Renault UK staff celebrate historic Formula One victory in style

The champagne flowed as staff were given Renault F1 Team t-shirts and caps in the Team’s signature distinctive blue and yellow, and a Renault F1 Team car was displayed outside the front of Renault UK’s Head office to set the victory celebrations off in style. They were even joined by newly-crowned Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso – though only in full size replica cardboard-cut out form, as he was busy celebrating elsewhere!
Based in Enstone, Oxfordshire, the Renault F1 Team stormed to victory in the Brazilian Grand Prix in a thrilling battle with closest rivals Ferrari hot on their heels. It was Michael Schumacher’s last race before he retired and as such, the challenge was on for Renault F1 Team’s Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella to pull off the drive of their lives to ensure the Team’s mission of retaining its Championship double from last year was accomplished.
When the race had ended, Fernando Alonso became the youngest double World Champion in history, and both Alonso and Renault F1 Team became part of a very select group who have achieved the double Championship.
Most recently it was achieved by Michael Schumacher and Ferrari in 2000-2004, and before that with Aryton Senna and McLaren in 1990/1. The only other example of the ‘double double’ in the sport’s history came in 1959/60 with Jack Brabham and Cooper. For Renault F1 Team and Fernando Alonso to be mentioned in the same breath is achievement to celebrate.
That’s not the only feat achieved by Renault F1 Team this season. Other accomplishments include:
Renault F1 Team is renowned for its reliability – in 2006 it achieved 29 finishes in 36 starts
Almost unheard of in modern Formula One, this was achieved with just one car! Chassis R26-03 started 2006 in Bahrain seven months ago and the same car crossed the finishing line in Brazil – without missing a single race!
Renault owners can also join in with the celebrations with their own Renault F1 Team merchandise, such as remote-controlled Renault F1 Team cars, baseball caps, t-shirts, fleeces and Renault F1 Team soft toys, which are available now through their nearest Renault dealer.