The choice of technology cannot be made until the product and customer concepts are precisely defined. In the end, the best proof of the quality relationship between F1 and mass production can be seen in the objectives set by the Renault Group for both areas. Within the framework of the 2009 total quality commitment, the Renault Laguna should be in the top three cars in its segment in terms of product and service quality. Within the framework of the battle for the Formula One world title, the Renault F1 team's goal is to finish in the top three of every Championship race in 2006. This won't happen by chance. One word provides the key to getting there. Quality.


From project to production

A precise and rigorous organization and set of working methods are put in place, beginning in the design phase and continuing through to the start of manufacturing. Quality is already a factor.

Quality is all about discipline, standards, and creation, from the CAD stage all the way to the assembly line.

For Andre Laine, Deputy Managing Director, Viry-Chatillon (the F1 engine plant), the quest for quality begins during a project's design phase, once the product and customer concepts have been clearly defined. "Formula One and mass production are two different worlds, each with their own demands, methodologies, and characteristics," he explained. "In both domains, however, the objective is to achieve optimal quality with zero defects. Mass production methods cannot be directly transposed onto F1, of course, but the philosophy is exactly the same. It's wrong to think that it is easier to design a mass production engine than one for a Grand Prix racecar. The only difference is the requirements."

This point of view is shared by Flavio Briatore, Managing Director of the Renault F1 Team. While he does not claim to understand all of the technological aspects in F1, he plays a part in its development. In fact, in 1988 when he arrived in the paddock - a very closed world - he knew practically nothing about motorsport. Thanks to a global quality philosophy, however, he was able to turn what might have been seen as a weakness into a real strength. "An F1 team is just like any other company", he explained. "You have to have a good structure and a good product. Our product is a car and an engine, but management is what makes the difference. Good managers can adapt their skills to fit any type of business."


Defining the project: characteristics, lead times, and management

These requirements are summed up in a set of specifications, which is needed to implement any sort of project. The quality of the finished product depends on the rigour and precision of these specifications. In F1, there is a new project every year. In the world of mass production, the lifespan of a given car model can be up to eight years, but a number of models are developed simultaneously.

"These specifications must be written for and clearly understood by everyone," explained Arnaud Boulanger, who is responsible for the quality programme at Enstone (the F1 chassis plant). "This document sets the objectives: make the Laguna one of the three top cars in Europe in terms of product and service quality, suffer no more than two retirements per season, and consistently finish on the podium. In addition, the specifications define the budgetary and regulatory framework for the project. For mass production vehicles, this includes safety and environmental concerns, while in F1, it refers to compliance with technical regulations."

During the phase when the specifications are being drawn up, the main technical guidelines are set. Projects extend over long periods, and it is therefore important to know how to take a proactive approach while at the same time limiting risk. Changing objectives mid-project is a dangerous and invariably costly operation. "It is crucial to meet the objectives at the first attempt," concluded Andre Laine. "The world of F1 moves so fast, and that of mass production develops over such an extended time scale, that it is almost impossible to fix a mistake." Let's look at an example of this.

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