Q&A: Mike Gascoyne.

Technical Director Mike Gascoyne talks about the design structure at Renault F1; his role in setting it up and a lot more:

Q:
The team has a different structure to many other teams. What part did you play in setting it up?

Mike Gascoyne:
I introduced it as soon as I joined the team. It should mean that we can count on greater stability. Because the new set-up is based on two-year cycles, we should reap the full benefits next season with the 2003 car.

Q:
How is the work divided up on a day-to-day basis?

MG:
Mark Smith supervised the design of the R202, which we are using this year, and while he was busy with that car, Tim Densham was working on the design of its successor. This season Mark will supervise the development of the R202 while Tim puts the finishing touches to next year's car, which he will develop during the 2003 season. From next winter, Mark will be starting work on designing the car planned for 2004.

Q:
Do the two men exchange information freely?

MG:
There's no problem with that. Mark and Tim don't have inflated egos, and that's a real advantage. In fact egos harm creativity. I don't mind going back on a decision either if someone shows me I was wrong. To come back to Tim and Mark, they share the same office and take part in the same technical discussion groups. Each is kept informed of what the other is doing. After that it's up to me to manage their work and the resources allocated to it. I'm the referee, but as a general rule I like to give my engineers a lot of freedom.

Q:
Developing the current car, going to the circuits, getting ready for the next season: how do you manage your time?

MG:
I work out my schedule according to priorities. For instance, I'll be going to a fair number of races this season, but I am aiming to stay at Enstone more and more often. At the factory I attend all kinds of meetings and as a last resort it's me who has to take decisions. I could also sit down at a drawing board, but that would be a waste of my time. There are other people here who are perfectly well qualified to do that!