SILVERSTONE, ENGLAND, APRIL 4, 2006. Five years since he last drove a Formula 1 car as a test driver for Prost Grand Prix, Jonathan Cochet was back behind the wheel of one of the world’s fastest vehicles - this time in Fernando Alonso’s 2005 Formula 1 World Championship winning Renault R25. The test at Silverstone, England was at the invitation of Renault F1. Cochet will drive the car this year for Renault at several World Series Renault races throughout Europe as part of their F1 Roadshow exhibition program. The test was designed to get him reacquainted with the astounding performance characteristics of a modern Formula 1 car.
“The performance of this car compared to the one I drove for Prost Grand Prix only five years ago is very different and much faster,” said Cochet. “Every year the development of these cars makes them faster and faster. Five years is a long time between test-drives. I was amazed at the increase in performance achieved during that time. Of course this car was the fastest of all of the F1 cars last year too, which probably also helped make such a big impression on me. The traction control, in particular, was amazing – very highly developed - but the V-10 engine, which last year produced around 900 horsepower also impressed me a lot with its power. You change gears and the car just keeps pulling like there’s no difference. These cars are in a completely different world from anything else I’ve ever driven.”
Cochet’s next appointment with the Renault R25 is scheduled to be on July 15 - 16 at Misano, Italy. Until then he will continue competing for Tuttle Team Racing with BAM! in the Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve. He has been hired by co-driver and team owner, Brian Tuttle in his quest to win the Jim Trueman award for the highest placing, non-professional driver in the award point standings in the Daytona Prototype class. The team is the only one in the series utilizing two cars during official practice to allow both Cochet and Tuttle maximum time on the track.
“I really enjoy racing in the U.S.,” says Cochet. “The Rolex Series is very competitive with many good drivers and all the cars are very equal. I felt that competing in this series this year in the U.S. would let me learn a lot of the circuits and hopefully give me a chance during the season to show everyone what I’m capable of.” Cochet says he is also hopeful of competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, but has yet to finalize a program for the famed endurance race.
