F1: New Renault passes FIA crash tests

Renault's return to Formula 1 has cleared another checkpoint, with the team announcing its 2016 car has passed the FIA's mandatory crash tests.

Yet to rebrand from its Lotus F1 Team title – with Renault set to launch its full programme early next month in Paris – the Enstone, UK team tweeted that it had ticked off the final tests, proclaiming "Chassis homologation: DONE."

Renault's protracted takeover of Lotus was finally completed in December, noting at the time that "the technical teams are making good progress to have the 2016 car ready for testing in Barcelona at the end of February."

While ART Grand Prix boss Frederic Vasseur is set to be its racing director, Pastor Maldonado's status as a driver alongside Jolyon Palmer is not concrete.

Maldonado's backing from his native Venezuela is in doubt, with Renault directors traveling to the nation last week to advance discussions.

Originally on Autosport.com