Motor racing engine progress hit by espionage say Renault

renaultbel · 16 Jul 2001, 16:06 (Ref:117812)

The Renault-owned Benetton Formula One racing team have been hit by industrial espionage that has severely hampered their bid to develop into a competitive force.

This was revealed over the weekend of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone by Renault technical director Jean-Jacques His, who said that the 'theft' by computer hackers of his team's designs had been a major setback to their plans.

He said the hackers had broken into the Renault system 12 months ago, just when his team were working intensively on the final designs for this year's Renault Formula One racing engine.

"I'm afraid some data from the design of the engine had gone and we had to change direction in certain areas. It was a problem for us".

Benetton, using Renault engines, have struggled to be competitive this season, with both their drivers, Italian Giancarlo Fisichella and Briton Jenson Button having to endure poor qualifying and race performances.

In Sunday's British Grand Prix, they finished 13th and 15th respectively, and after 11 of the season's 17 races they have accumulated only one championship point.

His said the team's engine headquarters in Paris had been infiltrated by hi-tech software spies, who had taken data about the engine designs, and he suggested responsibility for the 'virtual reality break-in' lay with the former East Germany's secret service police.

RIVAL TEAMS

His also suggested that these 'spies' were probably trying to sell the secrets of Renault's designs to rival Formula One teams.

"It has been a big blow to us," His said. "We had to scrap a lot of our work when we found out and start all over again."

This has involved Renault bringing in a completely new security system and overhauling the computer network at their headquarters in Viry-Chatillion on the outskirts of Paris.

His said Renault had asked the French secret police to help them review their security procedures.

"We had expert investigations and we are certain that it was done by someone from outside," His said. "It has been traced back to Germany and we think to the people who used to work for the Stasi. There are a lot of them out of work now trying to make a profit with their skills."

Sodemo · 16 Jul 2001, 17:24 (Ref:117831)

Yeah, just because someone "stole" their info/data, doesn't explain why they are so off the pace.

Tristan · 17 Jul 2001, 12:59 (Ref:118291)

Yeah, but even so, this is awfully wierd. Crime enters the F1 fray.... wowee!! May be the whole plot IS written for this "soap-opera"!

**Bononi** · 17 Jul 2001, 13:45 (Ref:118311)

Quote:

Originally posted by Tristan
Yeah, but even so, this is awfully wierd. Crime enters the F1 fray.... wowee!! May be the whole plot IS written for this "soap-opera"!

Crime ?

"soap=opera" ?

Is all about F1...

mac · 18 Jul 2001, 09:29 (Ref:118715)

Whoops! I didn't mean to post here.

While I'm here - I'm sick of computers in f1.

f1manoz · 18 Jul 2001, 10:56 (Ref:118745)

Bah Humbug!!! I think it's all an excuse for their pathetic pace and form this year.

Plus, so what if something has been 'stolen' considering things are stolen quite blatantly throughout the season, whether teams know it or not? If they want, they should say copying a design part is 'stolen'? Having the same nose design 'stolen'? The whole scenario could get quite pety.

I think Renault should just get over it and move on, design their engine and make the damn thing BETTER!!!!

**Peter Mallett** · 18 Jul 2001, 11:17 (Ref:118749)

I think there might be something in this.

I've just seen a Lada doing about 120 Kph down the road outside my office. Now you must admit, that's pretty fast for a Lada.

Mekola · 19 Jul 2001, 02:21 (Ref:119038)

Quote:

Originally posted by Bononi

Crime ?

"soap=opera" ?

Is all about F1...

It remembered me a thriller fiction story called "La belva del circus", a small addition to one number of Autosprint magazine of 1997.

**Bononi** · 19 Jul 2001, 11:56 (Ref:119162)

So Lada is the next generation engines to enter F1 !!!!

Total-F1 · 19 Jul 2001, 15:00 (Ref:119212)

I quite believe it, to be honest - when you have multi-billion dollar congolomerates involved, F1 isn't a gentlemens' Sunday jaunt any longer - company reputations rely on good publicity

f1parts · 19 Jul 2001, 15:55 (Ref:119227)

It is difficult to know why Renault are trying to use this as an excuse. All data is backed up so no data should be lost in any organisation and if they had a good idea about a fast new engine then surely you don't change direction just because someone sneaked a peek at it. Anyway, it would be of no use to anyone in the short term as all teams would be commited to the existing designs and could not change direction that fast so R would still have a big head start.

EERO · 19 Jul 2001, 17:50 (Ref:119291)

Quote:

Originally posted by Bononi
So Lada is the next generation engines to enter F1 !!!!

You may recall I made that conjecture months ago.

**Bononi** · 19 Jul 2001, 21:28 (Ref:119396)

Yep EERO !

And they're about to give a hard time to other teams !!

zealot · 20 Jul 2001, 20:44 (Ref:119761)

What took Renault so long to mention this? You would think they would have said something, oh, I don't know, 12 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE STUFF WAS STOLEN!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Motor Racing Types In Different Racing Machines...	GTRMagic	Australasian Touring Cars.	15	27 Dec 2005 22:15
Renault F3 Engine	Monkey Head	National & International Single Seaters	11	12 Mar 2004 10:56
WOW - that new Renault Motor really....	Wrex	Formula One	8	30 Jun 2001 18:29