In 2002 Renault returned to F1 as a team after an absence of over 15 years, taking over the Benetton team from the previous season. From Renault's first entry into F1 they have always been renowned for the quality, power and reliability of their engines and this entry was no exception to that rule; even when Renault were the pioneers of the turbo engines in F1 back in the 80s there reputation for engine standards led the way. In 2002 the engine was indeed special again with a V angle of about 111 degrees, it was over 20 degrees wider than the competitors' engines. This wider V angle resulted in a lower centre of gravity, improving the car's handling. The wide-angle engine had been introduced the previous season in the Benetton B201 and a season of development had ironed out the teething problems it's predecessor had suffered from.

With Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button as drivers the team finished fourth in the Constructors' Championship with 23 points, an impressive result for the team's first season and setting strong foundations for their notable future successes as a team. The season was not however be remembered fondly by Jenson Button and his time with Renault was brief lastling only one season. The team being then run by the enigmatic Flavio Briatore, the pair publicly clashed with Briatore criticising the young Englishman labeling him as a 'Playboy'. 2003 saw Button join the BAR team to partner Jaques Villeneuve. Button was replaced by the then Renault test driver, a certain Fernando Alonso and the rest is as they say is history.

I have chosen to build the Jenson Button car, No.15, thankfully the kit is much better than the Treasure Hunt Jordan EJ10 and was more enjoyable to complete as a result, there were some fit problems which I managed to overcome which do not overly show on the final model. Stricly OOB and with no grade up parts or sets.

Click above for build and completed pictures