The Renault R26 is a Formula One racing car, used by the Renault F1 team in the 2006 Formula One season. The chassis was designed by Bob Bell, James Allison, Tim Densham and Dino Toso with Pat Symonds overseeing the design and production of the car as executive director of Engineering and Rob White leading the engine design. The car was driven by Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella. Over the course of the season it scored 8 wins out of 18 races, followed closely by the rival Ferrari 248 F1. The R26 helped Renault in claiming the Constructors' Championship with a 5-point advantage over rival Ferrari, and also taking Fernando Alonso to his second Drivers' Championship in succession, 13 points ahead of rival Michael Schumacher. It brought the last Constructors' Championship in recent history to tyre manufacturer Michelin. Renault used 'Mild Seven' logos in Bahrain, Malaysia, Australia, Spain, Monaco, United States, Hungary, China and Japan. In countries where advertising of tobacco products was not allowed, the Mild Seven text was replaced with "Team Spirit".
The R26 on display at Fernando Alonso Sports Complex
Alonso and Fisichella took a front row at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Alonso in chassis R26-03 at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Renault RS26 engine.
2006 Formula One World Championship
The 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 60th season of Formula One motor racing. It featured the 57th Formula One World Championship which began on 12 March and ended on 22 October after eighteen races. The Drivers' Championship was won by Fernando Alonso of Renault for the second year in a row, with Alonso becoming the youngest ever double world champion at the time. Then-retiring seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher of Scuderia Ferrari finished runner-up, 13 points behind. The Constructors' Championship was won by Renault, which defeated Ferrari by five points.
Fernando Alonso won the Formula One Drivers' Championship for the second time in a row with Renault. He remains the last Renault driver to win a championship.
Michael Schumacher finished the season second with Ferrari 13 points behind in what was then believed to be his final year of Formula One.
Felipe Massa, in his first year with Ferrari, finished third in the standings.
Fernando Alonso driving his Renault R26 car during a testing session held in February 2006 at Circuit de Valencia.